Lee reaffirms commitment to replacing Korean armistice with peace regime

On Sept. 2, President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed his dedication to establishing a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, aiming to facilitate dialogue between North Korea and the United States. This commitment was made during a meeting with the American branch of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, a presidential advisory committee on unification, held in Incheon, south of Seoul.

In his Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15, Lee suggested that the two Koreas commence discussions on concluding their protracted conflict and address practical measures to halt the progress of North Korea's nuclear program, pledging to pursue a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

The Korean Peninsula has been in a state of war since the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice, lacking a formal peace treaty. To avert potential escalations in tensions due to changes in domestic politics or international circumstances, Lee emphasized the need to transition from an armistice based on conflict and confrontation to a peace regime grounded in cooperation and prosperity.

He asserted that the two Koreas are squandering resources on unneeded confrontations, describing it as an "unfortunate and tragic reality" that ought to be reversed.

Lee reiterated his three-point strategy for achieving peaceful coexistence with North Korea, unveiled in his Liberation Day speech. These encompass inclusive, stable, and responsible approaches. In terms of inclusive peace, he stressed that both sides should respect each other's differences, rather than seeking uniformity. Lee also pointed out that Seoul must take the lead in re-establishing North Korea-U.S. dialogue, capitalizing on U.S. President Donald Trump's renewed engagement with Pyongyang to mend the fractured inter-Korean relations.

He clarified that ensuring peace on the Korean Peninsula is not solely a matter for the two Koreas but also a crucial task in maintaining security in Northeast Asia and global peace.