South Korea calls for a 'new era' with North Korea

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The South Korean leader timed his statement to mark the 107th anniversary of Korea's Independence Movement.

In his commemorative speech, Lee Jae Myung stressed that the time has come to restore direct contacts and that Seoul is ready for decisive steps for the sake of a shared future.

The president said, he hopes North Korea will resume dialogue as soon as possible to discuss a new era of relations between the neighbours.

Seoul proposes a "new era" of engagement

Lee Jae Myung's initiative is based on three key pillars aimed at changing the framework of coexistence between the two countries:

1. Finding common ground: abandoning the language of threats in favor of diplomatic resolution of differences.
2. Shaping a new era: developing a roadmap that would allow a transition from a "cold peace" to active engagement.
3. Stabilizing security: strengthening regional security through transparency of military intentions.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung assured that the government will consistently pursue a course toward peace, emphasizing that dialogue is the only key to a stable future for the peninsula.

It should be noted that the call for peace came at an extremely tense moment. Just a day earlier, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally presented the party elite with the latest domestically produced sniper rifles, demonstrating the country’s militarization.

Kim Jong Un has repeatedly described South Korea as the "principal enemy" and has spoken about the impossibility of negotiations with Seoul.

At the same time, he has allowed for the possibility of good relations between North Korea and Washington, but under certain conditions.

Meanwhile, in October 2025, US President Donald Trump said he has a "warm relationship" with Kim, but added that due to Pyongyang's nuclear policy, the United States will "at some point" address North Korea.