Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed on Saturday that Pyongyang engage in dialogue to formally end the Korean War, which has technically been ongoing for more than 70 years due to the lack of a peace treaty. The proposal comes as North Korea strengthens its ties with Russia and continues to assert its status as an "irreversible" nuclear state.According to France24.com, President Lee made his proposal during a speech at a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule, which lasted from 1910 to 1945. In his address, Lee emphasized the need for both North and South Korea to abandon their hostile intentions and initiate discussions aimed at formally concluding the protracted conflict.The Korean War, which began in 1950 with a North Korean attack, ended in 1953 with an armistice agreement rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. President Lee underscored the importance of dialogue not only to end the war but also as a platform to discuss measures to halt the advancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities.This proposal reflects ongoing efforts by South Korea to reduce military tensions on the Korean Peninsula and seek diplomatic solutions to the challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
- August 21, 2026
