THE WORLD Asia

The South Korean president proposes peace to Pyongyang

The South Korean president proposes peace to Pyongyang
The South Korean president proposes peace to Pyongyang

Lee Jae Myung, President of South Korea, called for negotiations with North Korea to formally end the Korean War and replace the 1953 armistice with a peace regime.

The South Korean head of state made this proposal on August 15, 2026, the national holiday commemorating the liberation of the Korean Peninsula from Japanese colonization. Lee Jae-myung suggested that direct talks with Pyongyang could lead to a definitive peace agreement, replacing the armistice that has suspended hostilities for over seven decades without ever legally ending them.

Beyond the symbolic aspect, the South Korean president put forward a strategic argument: dialogue could, according to him, help to curb the development of the North Korean nuclear program, which has continued to progress in recent years despite international sanctions.

Seoul has not specified the preconditions for these negotiations, nor indicated whether Pyongyang has responded to the initiative. North Korea has not yet issued any public statement.

Share this article

Your news, according to your interests

Choose the sections and language of your newsletter. You can change your preferences at any time.

Community

Comments

Write a comment

Be the first to comment on this article.

Respond to this article

Comments are moderated. Promotional messages, automated emails, and abusive links are blocked.

Your first comment, or any message containing a link, may be placed pending approval.

Interview Application

Information everywhere you go

Find the latest news, alerts and your favorite sections in an experience designed for mobile.

Interview app alerts screen: latest news alerts
Customization screen for Interview app sections
News screen of the Interview app: the featured story