President Lee Calls on North Korea to End War, Proposes Dialogue

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has extended an invitation to North Korea to cease mutual threats and initiate dialogue aimed at formally ending the Korean War. Speaking at the 81st Liberation Day ceremony in Seoul, Lee proposed a concrete plan to halt North Korea's nuclear program advancement and foster peaceful coexistence.

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Let's put aside our mutual threats and begin discussions among the parties involved to end the old war.

"Let's put aside our mutual threats and begin discussions among the parties involved to end the old war," Lee stated, adding that such talks could lead to effective measures against North Korea's escalating nuclear capabilities. He recalled his pledge from the previous year to respect North Korea's regime and forgo any form of unification by absorption, emphasizing his desire to move from principle to practical action.

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Last year, I pledged on this stage to respect North Korea's regime and not pursue any form of unification by absorption, and to refrain from all hostile acts. One year later, I wish to present a blueprint for moving beyond principle to action.

Lee stressed the importance of mutual respect and ending unnecessary confrontation between the two Koreas. He called for reducing hostility in perceptions, norms, and systems, urging North Korea to sit down together for peaceful coexistence and joint growth. The president also highlighted the need for institutional mechanisms to control tensions and multiple safety nets to prevent crises and escalation, promising proactive and sustained peace initiatives based on a comprehensive review of the regional security situation.

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South and North Korea must respect each other and cease unnecessary confrontation. We must reduce hostility from our perceptions, norms, and systems. I hope the South and North can sit down together for peaceful coexistence and joint growth.

Furthermore, President Lee pledged to recover the unjustly accumulated assets of individuals who collaborated with Japan during its colonial rule. He affirmed that the government would diligently investigate and reclaim these assets, ensuring they are used to support independence activists and their families. In relations with Japan, Lee advocated for practical, national-interest-driven diplomacy, noting the progress made over the past year in shuttle diplomacy and cooperation in supply chains, energy, and advanced industries.

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The peace of the Korean Peninsula will soon promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and serve as a milestone toward a nuclear-free world. It will offer hope and possibility to a world suffering from conflict.