South Korea has proposed official talks with North Korea to end the war that has technically been ongoing since the 1953 armistice, according to President Lee Jae Myung. The proposal includes establishing a "multi-layered security system" to prevent escalations along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and exploring practical methods to curb North Korea's nuclear program.
Lee made the suggestion during a ceremony marking Liberation Day, a holiday commemorating the Korean peninsula's independence from Japanese rule. "Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties," Lee stated, expressing hope for "peaceful coexistence and mutual growth."
The conflict between the two Koreas has remained technically active since a peace treaty was never signed following the armistice agreement in 1953. The decades since have seen intermittent tensions and clashes along the DMZ, with both nations accusing each other of provocations.
This initiative marks a shift in South Korean policy compared to the previous administration. Lee, who took office last year, has aimed to improve relations with North Korea and China, which had deteriorated under his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol.
North Korea has not yet responded to the latest proposal. Previously, Pyongyang has rejected engagement offers from Seoul, criticizing joint military drills with the United States and a deal for the U.S. to provide South Korea with nuclear-powered submarines. In January 2024, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that unification with South Korea was no longer feasible and called for constitutional amendments to define South Korea as a "primary foe."
Kim further stated that in the event of war, North Korea should aim to "occupy," "recapture," and "incorporate" the South. North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and has stated its intention to never relinquish its arsenal. Lee has previously estimated that Pyongyang produces 15 to 20 nuclear warheads annually and has expressed support for a production freeze deal between former U.S. President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un.
The proposal for talks comes shortly after North Korea conducted its 11th suspected ballistic missile test of the year, firing a missile into the sea days before a scheduled U.S.-South Korean joint military exercise.