"Discussions to End War Must Begin… Accountability for Pro-Japanese Acts Will Be Pursued"

[Anchor]

In his Liberation Day congratulatory address today (August 15), President Lee Jae-myung proposed to North Korea that the parties involved begin discussions to end the prolonged war.

While vowing to hold pro-Japanese anti-national collaborators strictly accountable, he also delivered a future-oriented message, calling on Japan to open a new 60 years of peace and prosperity together.

Reporter Kim Hye-young has the details.

[Reporter]

President Lee Jae-myung delivered an address commemorating the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day.

He presented a blueprint to put into action last year's principles, in which he stated that he would respect the North Korean regime, not pursue unification by absorption, and halt hostile acts.

He laid out three directions: inclusive peaceful coexistence where the South and North respect each other, stable peaceful coexistence where fighting is unnecessary, and responsible peaceful coexistence that contributes to world peace.

[President Lee Jae-myung: I hope that the South and the North will sit down face-to-face for peaceful coexistence and shared growth. This will not be a concession, but the starting point for coexistence.]

In particular, he proposed direct talks to North Korea, stating that he would embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system into a peace regime.

[President Lee Jae-myung: Let us begin discussions among the parties concerned to end the prolonged war. Through this, effective measures to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities can also be discussed.]

Regarding pro-Japanese anti-national collaborators, he stated that strict accountability would be enforced through property investigations and confiscation.

While the message on South Korea-Japan relations noted that the suffering of past victims and their bereaved families persists, the main emphasis was placed on future cooperation.

[President Lee Jae-myung: As a neighbor that is close yet near, I look forward to us opening a new 60 years of peace and prosperity together.]

President Lee also emphasized that a "new liberation" is needed to propel South Korea to the next level, urging the nation to move toward an "irreplaceable Republic of Korea" that no other country can substitute.

He announced plans to provide more exceptional honors to surviving patriots and independence merit recipients, while expanding the discovery and awarding of unmedaled independence activists.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Video reporting: Jung Sang-bo, Video editing: Lee Seung-jin)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.