South Korea’s Lee suggests phased approach to deal with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a “phased approach” to deal with North Korea’s nuclear threat.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a “phased approach” to deal with North Korea’s nuclear threat.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Lee proposed a step-by-step effort to end a decades-long deadlock over the North’s nuclear program.

Lee’s first goal would be to stop advances in Pyongyang’s nuclear and missile capabilities. In the next phase, its arsenal would be targeted for rollback, eventually leading to dismantlement.

Lee explained, “To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first. A phased approach of stopping, reduction and dismantlement is a practical way of effectively resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.”

At every successful step, North Korea would be offered political and economic concessions.

Despite recent proposals from U.S. President Donald Trump to reignite diplomatic channels, North Korea has responded dismissively and recently intensified its missile and weapons testing activities.

The South Korean president is set to promote this approach during this week’s U.N. General Assembly meetings in New York. Lee will also deliver a speech at the U.N. on Tuesday.

Estimates of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal range from 57 to more than 100 warheads, according to estimates cited by the AP. Lee believes that negotiations must demonstrate that peace is a feasible path to prosperity.

Moreover, according to Lee, both Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un should resume face-to-face diplomacy to build trust and find common ground.