(LEAD) Lee proposes dialogue with N. Korea to officially end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

President Lee Jae Myung proposed on Saturday that the two Koreas initiate discussions aimed at ending their prolonged conflict and addressing the North's nuclear ambitions during a ceremony commemorating Korea's liberation from Japan's colonial rule. Speaking at the event, Lee emphasized the importance of ceasing threats towards one another and engaging in productive dialogue as directly involved parties.

He further stated that this could potentially lead to discussions on halting the advancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The Korean Peninsula has been in a state of war since the 1950-53 Korean War, which concluded with an armistice and not a peace treaty. Lee expressed his intention to bring an end to the war and replace the unstable armistice system with a peace regime.

Despite the North's lack of response to Seoul's previous conciliatory gestures since Lee's inauguration last June, the Lee administration has consistently maintained its commitment to engaging in dialogue with North Korea for the sake of peaceful coexistence. In his speech, Lee reiterated the need for both Koreas to respect each other and reduce hostility, starting with the reduction of tensions in perceptions, norms, and systems.

The president expressed hope for face-to-face negotiations between South and North Korea to foster peaceful coexistence and mutual growth. Lee also stressed the necessity of a multilayered security system to manage tensions and prevent crises, vowing to implement preemptive and consistent actions towards peace in tandem with the evolving security landscape of the Korean Peninsula.

Lee believed that fostering a positive response from the North could contribute to a stable Korean Peninsula, potentially promoting stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and paving the way for a world without nuclear weapons. He further highlighted the strong relations between South Korea and Japan, attributed to recent "shuttle diplomacy," and pledged to expand cooperation for mutual interests and address shared challenges with the Japanese government, hoping to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.