Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung stated that he would honor North Korea's political system and refrain from seeking unification by absorption, while also committing to reviving the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement to alleviate tensions.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee's announcement came during a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, a day after Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, dismissed the administration's recent conciliatory effort as unrealistic. Lee extended a hand of peace to North Korea, emphasizing his vision for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula during the Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts.
Lee assured that South Korea does not intend to engage in hostile acts, and he plans to take "proactive, gradual steps" to restore the 2018 military tension reduction pact. This pact was suspended during the previous conservative administration but remains a key part of Lee's agenda to prevent accidental military clashes between the two Koreas.
The President also stressed the necessity of North Korea's denuclearization for achieving lasting peace on the peninsula. He stated that a peaceful Korean Peninsula must be free from nuclear weapons and centered on cooperation with neighboring nations.
Lee has already initiated measures to improve inter-Korean relations, including halting propaganda broadcasts along the border and discouraging activists from sending balloons across the border. While the South Korean military noted a reduction in North Korean broadcasts, Kim Yo-jong refuted claims about the removal of propaganda loudspeakers.
Further highlighting the need for trust-building, Lee expressed hopes for North Korea to reciprocate South Korea's peace efforts. In his words, "More important than winning a fight and more important than winning without a fight is building a state where fighting is unnecessary -- that is, creating peace."
Addressing relations with Japan, Lee committed to "forward-looking, mutually beneficial cooperation" through active diplomatic engagement. His upcoming visit to Tokyo aims to enhance ties with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and discuss regional stability, especially as it marks the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalization between the two nations.
Lee is also set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump, where discussions will focus on alliance security and industrial cooperation, particularly in the semiconductor and technology sectors. He emphasized the importance of navigating economic and security challenges, aiming to transform potential crises into opportunities for advancement.