South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposes restoring communication channels with North Korea as a starting point for peaceful coexistence and shared growth.
SEOUL: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed restoring communication channels with North Korea.
He made the remarks during an event to mark the launch of the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council on Tuesday.
Lee stressed that unification is a historic task that must be taken regardless of the time required.
“The historic task given to us is to end hostility and confrontation between the two Koreas, and to build a new inter-Korean relationship based on peaceful existence,” Lee said.
He suggested the Koreas begin by restoring dialogue channels suspended for seven years.
He emphasised the need for “shared growth” that benefits both Seoul and Pyongyang.
Lee called for gradual cooperation in areas like climate, disaster safety, and public health.
“We will continue our efforts to end the state of war on the Korean Peninsula, pursue a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and establish lasting peace,” Lee said.
He vowed to act as a “pacemaker” to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang.
The administration will take active measures to reduce military tensions along the Military Demarcation Line.
It also aims to prevent accidental clashes in border areas.
“South Korea is a military power ranked among the world’s top five and a country with strong deterrence based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance,” Lee said.
He noted the country should not remain “trapped in the past” on inter-Korean issues.
Lee also emphasised that South Korea has no intention of pursuing unification by absorption.
Since taking office in June, his administration has vowed to resume dialogue and reconciliation.
It suspended loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and urged civic groups to halt anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns.
These are part of efforts to mend frayed ties.
Prospects for resuming dialogue remain uncertain as North Korea is unresponsive.
Last month, South Korea proposed military talks to discuss the MDL but has received no reply from Pyongyang. — Bernama-Yonhap
