South Korean president proposes talks with North to formally end Korean War

Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, citing the ongoing conflict's technical armistice status. The 1950-53 war between the two Koreas concluded with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving them technically at war. In his speech during a ceremony marking Korea's 81st Liberation Day anniversary, Lee emphasized the need to dispense with threats and start discussions to end the long-running war.

He added that these talks could also address effective measures to curb North Korea's nuclear capabilities. North Korea has recently denounced upcoming US-South Korea military drills and fired two missiles after Japan pledged to strengthen its defense capabilities. Since 2019, North Korea has declared itself an irreversible nuclear state after the collapse of a summit between Kim Jong Un and US President Donald Trump over denuclearization and sanctions relief.

The hermetic North Korean leadership has not responded to Lee's repeated offers for talks, instead strengthening military ties with Russia. Analysts suggest that Pyongyang receives financial support, food, energy, and military technology from Moscow for its role in Russia's Ukrainian war. The US, South Korea's main security ally, deploys around 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect against potential threats from Pyongyang.