South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called on North Korea to restore trust and resume dialogue, while reaffirming his administration’s commitment to reducing military tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Speaking during South Korea’s Armed Forces Day, Lee said his government would continue pursuing practical measures to ease tensions despite recent strains in inter-Korean relations.
“I hope that the North joins us now on the path of restoring trust and resuming dialogue, following a long interruption,” Lee said, adding that his administration would “consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas.”
His remarks followed a Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) landmine blast that injured three South Korean soldiers, which South Korea’s military and the United Nations Command said violated the Korean War armistice. Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, rejected the findings and accused Seoul of fabricating the results.
Lee also reaffirmed plans to transfer wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea and outlined wider defence reforms, including nuclear-powered submarines, AI-enabled command systems and enhanced missile defence capabilities.
His comments reflect Seoul’s dual approach of pursuing dialogue with Pyongyang while continuing to strengthen its military capabilities amid ongoing regional security challenges.
ℹ️ Reuters
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