South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday pledged to break what he called the “vicious cycle of unnecessary military tensions” with North Korea, to achieve peaceful coexistence and shared growth.
Delivering his first address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Lee outlined his vision of a “phased solution” to the North Korean nuclear issue, acknowledging that denuclearisation “cannot be achieved in the short term.”
The pledge comes just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed similar phased plans as insincere, accusing Washington and Seoul of seeking to weaken Pyongyang. While Kim said he would not abandon his nuclear arsenal in exchange for the lifting of sanctions, he signalled that talks with the United States could resume if Washington dropped its demand for denuclearisation.
Also Read: UN Reiterates Call for Global Peace, Dialogue, Reconciliation
Lee emphasised Seoul’s commitment to reducing tensions, citing recent steps such as halting the use of loudspeakers and propaganda leaflets along the border. “By gradually expanding inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, we will pave the way for sustainable peace,” he said.
Despite Kim’s rejection of dialogue with Seoul, he noted having “fond memories” of former U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he held three high-profile summits. Trump has recently expressed interest in meeting Kim again, but during his 55-minute UNGA speech on Tuesday, he made no mention of North Korea.
