President Lee Proposes Dialogue Between Parties to End War and Halt North Korea's Nuclear Program

President Lee Jae-myung proposed on Liberation Day, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice system on the Korean Peninsula into a peace system," adding, "Let us set aside mutual threats and begin discussions among the parties involved to bring an end to this long-standing war."

During his congratulatory address at the 81st Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul, President Lee made the remarks and stated, "Through this, effective measures to halt the advancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities can also be discussed."

As President Lee has already positioned himself as a "pacemaker" and emphasized the necessity of North Korea-U.S. dialogue to advance progress on Korean Peninsula issues, his message today is drawing attention for highlighting the need for a more concrete dialogue framework.

"We will transform the energy of hostility and confrontation into a driving force for peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity," President Lee vowed. "As a pacemaker and a party directly involved in peace on the Korean Peninsula, I will fulfill my role and responsibilities."

In particular, President Lee declared three major principles for North Korea policy, stating, "Last year at this venue, I stated that we would respect North Korea's regime, pursue no form of absorption unification, and commit no acts of hostility. Today, one year later, I intend to present a blueprint to move beyond principles and into action."

First, he proposed "inclusive peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect."

President Lee explained, "The South and the North must respect each other and cease unnecessary confrontation. We must reduce hostility starting from perceptions, norms, and systems. I hope the South and the North will sit face-to-face for peaceful coexistence and shared growth. This will mark the starting point of coexistence, not concession."

Second, he mentioned "stable peaceful coexistence requiring no fighting."

In this regard, he stated, "We must establish systems to control tension and conflict, and multi-layered safety devices to prevent crises and escalation. We will comprehensively review the security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula and take proactive and sustained peace measures. By drawing a positive response from the North, we will build a stable Korean Peninsula."

Lastly, he put forward "responsible peaceful coexistence contributing to world peace."

President Lee noted, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula will soon promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and serve as a milestone toward a nuclear-free world, offering hope and possibilities to a world suffering from conflict."

His vision for South Korea-Japan relations followed.

President Lee diagnosed that "just as peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is an obligation rather than a choice, we cannot achieve greater responsibilities and roles on the global stage without a future-oriented relationship with our neighbor who shares our front yard."

He continued, "Over the past year, the two countries have continued active shuttle diplomacy and laid the foundation of trust. Moving forward, based on pragmatic national interest diplomacy, we will broaden the horizon of cooperation for our common interests."

However, President Lee mentioned past history issues, stating, "For our past achievements to continue unwaveringly, above all, firm trust between the peoples of the two nations is necessary. Trust stems from the sincerity of understanding each other's pain and empathizing with one another."

Looking back, President Lee said, "There are victims and bereaved families who still live with the wounds and pain of the past today. Although there has been conflict in the history of South Korea-Japan relations, there were also efforts to open up the future based on the courage and sincerity to face the past, such as the 1998 Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration."

In addition, he emphasized, "At a time when South Korea-Japan cooperation is more important than ever, the light of the new South Korea-Japan relationship we are building must become a warm warmth for those enduring pain."

He added, "Based on such deepened trust, I hope to open a new 60 years of peace and prosperity together with the Japanese government as a 'neighbor closer than close.'"

At the same time, he promised to hold history firmly accountable domestically, such as by expanding honors for independence activists while confiscating assets illicitly accumulated by pro-Japanese anti-national collaborators.

Meanwhile, President Lee also presented a future vision, stating, "Now, we need a new liberation that will take the Republic of Korea to the next level. We must move toward an irreplaceable Republic of Korea that no other country can substitute."

"Faced with a civilizational great transformation and massive upheavals in the international order, we must create possibilities instead of measuring impossibilities," President Lee stated. "We will redraw the growth map and expand growth bases nationwide. Through proactive investment, we will enhance growth potential and fairly distribute the fruits to the people."

He also stated, "The outcomes of innovation and opportunities for future growth must be distributed evenly everywhere," specifying that "the government will solidly support the youth so they can stand tall as the protagonists of tomorrow."

In particular, he revealed his awareness that internal conflict must not occur during this process.

President Lee said, "We must first tear down the barriers within ourselves. Differences must not turn into hostility, nor should hatred, ostracism, and conflict block the nation's forward march. I will take the lead in the politics of compromise and coexistence."

Furthermore, he stated, "Before a global competition where the landscape of the world economy is changing, the people and the government, the center and the regions, and businesses and workers are all 'one team.' Together with the people, we will write a new history of liberation."

Finally, President Lee repeatedly emphasized, "I am well aware that the reality endured by the people is not easy. Heavy prices are crushing lives, the agony of small business owners and self-employed individuals runs deep, and young people are struggling with anxiety over jobs and the future. Therefore, the vision of an irreplaceable Republic of Korea is not a flashy slogan, but a desperate promise."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.