South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War and establish a lasting peace arrangement on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee made the proposal on Saturday during a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule. He urged the two countries to reduce hostility and engage in direct dialogue aimed at peaceful coexistence.
The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, but the two sides never signed a formal peace treaty. This means the conflict technically remains unresolved.
Lee said negotiations could also address North Korea’s advancing nuclear programme and explore ways to prevent further military escalation.
His proposal comes amid heightened tensions between the two Koreas. North Korea has strongly criticised planned joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, describing them as a provocation.
Pyongyang has also continued its missile activities, including a ballistic missile launch on August 11, just days before the planned military drills.
Despite the strained relations, Lee said Seoul would continue pursuing measures to ease tensions and create conditions for peaceful coexistence. North Korea, however, has previously rejected South Korea’s attempts at engagement and adopted a tougher position towards Seoul.
The South Korean president’s proposal therefore faces significant diplomatic and security challenges, particularly over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme and the growing military tensions in the region.
