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Lee Jae-myung Urges Reopening of Dialogue with North Korea to Begin 'Peaceful Coexistence'

02:18 PM, 12/02/2025
Lee Jae-myung Urges Reopening of Dialogue with North Korea to Begin 'Peaceful Coexistence'

President Lee Jae-myung proposed reopening suspended communication channels with North Korea as the first step toward "peaceful coexistence," remarks delivered at the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council. He called for "shared growth" and practical cooperation on climate, disaster response, safety and public health. Lee pledged to pursue denuclearization, end the state of war, reduce tensions along the MDL and act as a mediator between Washington and Pyongyang, though Pyongyang has not responded to recent overtures.

President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday called for the reopening of suspended communication channels with North Korea, describing renewed contact as the essential first step toward "peaceful coexistence" between Seoul and Pyongyang.

Speaking at the launch of the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Lee said pursuing unification remains an unavoidable, long-term objective—even if it takes decades or "a millennium." He urged that the two Koreas start by restoring the dialogue lines that have been inactive for seven years.

"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.

Lee emphasized a strategy of "shared growth" that benefits both Seoul and Pyongyang. He proposed gradual, practical cooperation on issues of global and bilateral interest, including climate and environmental protection, disaster response, public safety and health.

The president pledged to continue efforts to formally end the state of war on the Korean Peninsula, pursue a nuclear-free peninsula and establish lasting peace. He said his administration will act as a "pacemaker" to help facilitate communication between Washington and Pyongyang.

Lee also said the government will take active measures to reduce military tensions along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and to prevent accidental clashes in border areas. He reiterated that South Korea is a leading military power with strong deterrence rooted in the South Korea–U.S. alliance and stressed that Seoul does not intend to pursue reunification by absorption.

Since taking office in June, the Lee administration has taken confidence-building steps such as suspending loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and urging civic groups to halt anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns. Despite these overtures, Pyongyang has so far been unresponsive; Seoul's proposal last month for military talks to discuss MDL issues has not received a reply.

While Lee offered a pragmatic, incremental framework for cooperation and denuclearization, the prospects for renewed talks remain uncertain until North Korea signals willingness to engage.

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Lee Jae-myung Urges Reopening of Dialogue with North Korea to Begin 'Peaceful Coexistence' - CRBC News