Lee proposes talks with NK to formally end Korean War, halt Pyongyang's nuclear program

President Lee Jae Myung suggested on Saturday that South and North Korea commence talks aimed at formally concluding their protracted conflict and addressing the issue of Pyongyang's nuclear program, vowing to strive for a peace regime across the Korean Peninsula. The proposal was made during a ceremony commemorating the 81st Liberation Day, which marks the end of Japan's 1910-45 colonial control over Korea.

Lee stated, "Let us lay down our intentions to threaten each other and initiate discussions to bring an end to the enduring war as the direct parties involved." He further added, "In the process, we may also explore effective methods to prevent the North's nuclear capabilities from escalating." The two Koreas have effectively been in a state of war since the conclusion of the 1950-53 Korean War with an armistice, rather than a peace treaty.

Lee expressed his intention to embark on a mission to resolve the war and replace the precarious armistice system with a peace regime. This overture from Lee came despite the North's lack of response to Seoul's continuous acts of reconciliation since his inauguration in June of the previous year.