{
  "id": 9056330,
  "title": "President Lee plans to call for phased denuclearization of N. Korea at UN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/president-lee-plans-to-call-for-phased-denuclearization-of-n-korea-at",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T01:57:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/northkorea/20260922/president-lee-plans-to-call-for-phased-denuclearization-of-n-korea-at-un"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korean President Lee Jae Myung plans to call for a phased denuclearization of North Korea during the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, according to his written responses to questions from The Associated Press. President Lee asserts that both South Korea and the United States are open to reengaging with Pyongyang.\n\nIn his statement, President Lee emphasizes the necessity of a practical and step-by-step approach to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue. He explains that bringing a moving vehicle to a halt requires first bringing it to a halt. Consequently, his proposed phased approach involves three stages: cessation, reduction, and dismantlement.\n\nThe push for phased denuclearization follows North Korea's recent surge in weapons testing activities, even after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced a major military exercise with South Korea to demonstrate conciliation towards North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Lee's proposal to denuclearize North Korea through a phased approach comes in light of the ongoing challenge of determining whether such an endeavor can be accomplished in a single step.",
  "summary": "South Korea's liberal President Lee Jae Myung says he’ll underscore the need for a practical, step-by-step denuclearization of North Korea during this week’s U.N. General Assembly, adding that both Seoul and Washington are willing to reengage with Pyongyang. “To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first,” Lee said in written responses to questions by The…",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korean President Lee Jae Myung plans to propose phased denuclearization of North Korea at UN.",
    "Proposed phased approach includes cessation, reduction, and dismantlement stages.",
    "Push for phased denuclearization follows North Korea's recent increase in weapons testing."
  ],
  "editors_take": "President Lee's plan signals a shift towards a more incremental approach to denuclearization, one that prioritizes practical steps over an all-or-nothing strategy with North Korea.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Korea decides on 1 US investment project, draws up plans for 2 others",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/korea-decides-on-1-us-investment-project-draws-up-plans-for-2-others",
        "published": "2026-09-22T02:07:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}