South Korean President Lee Jae Myung calls for peace talks with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has urged North Korea to return to dialogue to establish a permanent peace regime and formally conclude the 1950–53 Korean War. Delivering a speech to mark the anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee emphasised the necessity of peaceful coexistence and proposed diplomatic discussions to address Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities alongside regional security safeguards.

The Korean War concluded with an armistice agreement rather than a formal peace treaty, leaving the peninsula in a technical state of conflict for decades. Lee affirmed that Seoul is prepared to implement pre-emptive measures to reduce military friction and prevent escalation, building upon earlier pledges to respect North Korea’s governance system.

Diplomatic relations between the two nations remain strictly frozen, with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un officially abandoning reunification goals and designating South Korea as a primary adversary. Pyongyang has repeatedly rejected previous diplomatic overtures from Seoul while criticising joint US–South Korean military exercises. Additionally, Lee addressed regional affairs with Tokyo, advocating for an approach that confronts historical grievances while fostering future cooperation with Japan as a neighbouring state.