Lee calls on North Korea to join South in talks toward ending the Korean War

President Lee Jae Myung addressed the nation on the 81st anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, urging North Korea to join in dialogue to end the Korean War. He proposed discussing methods to halt North Korea's nuclear weapons development during his commemorative address. Lee pledged to work towards a peaceful coexistence, emphasizing the need for both Koreas to reduce hostility and respect each other's perceptions, norms, and systems.

He called for the establishment of systems to manage tensions and conflicts, as well as safeguards to prevent crises and hostilities' escalation. The president sought to build a stable Korean Peninsula through comprehensive security reviews, aiming for peace to bring stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and mark a milestone on the path to a world without nuclear weapons.

Lee also addressed the issue of wealth amassed by national traitors and Japanese collaborators, vowing to hold them accountable and use the confiscated funds to support independence activists and their families. He highlighted his intention to reclaim this wealth and ensure its responsible management. Lee stressed that a Korea mired in hostility and conflict is not conducive to realizing the great potential and dynamic nature of its people, and he affirmed his commitment to channeling the energy of hostility and conflict into motivation for peaceful coexistence and mutual prosperity.