DP leader vows support for Lee's efforts to promote dialogue with N. Korea

Kim Min-seok, the leader of South Korea's Democratic Party, pledged on Friday to back President Lee Jae Myung's attempts to engage in dialogue between the United States and North Korea. This statement followed a significant reduction in a joint military exercise between Seoul and Washington, following an order from President Donald Trump.

The move, seen as a gesture of goodwill towards North Korea, has been widely interpreted as a shift in diplomatic strategy. Addressing a gathering of his party's top officials, Kim commented on the evolving dynamics among the United States, China, and North Korea, emphasizing that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is undergoing various transformations.

He outlined a plan to engage in direct party-to-party diplomacy by visiting the U.S., China, and Japan by the end of the year, noting that this schedule aligns with the U.S. midterm elections taking place in November. Kim also highlighted that South Korea and the U.S. were scheduled to conclude the Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise ahead of its originally planned timeline.

However, North Korea has dismissed the scaled-down exercise, maintaining that it does not alter the hostile nature of the activity. President Lee has not provided further comment beyond this announcement.