Lee urges formal Korean War end talks
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung used a Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15 to call for talks with North Korea and other directly concerned parties to formally end the Korean War and replace the armistice with a peace regime. He said the two sides should stop threatening each other, respect one another and pursue peaceful coexistence, while suggesting such dialogue could also help discuss ways to halt the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
Key Points
- Lee made the proposal at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule in Seoul on Saturday, Aug. 15.
- The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953 and ended in an armistice, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war without a peace treaty
- In his speech, Lee urged the directly involved parties to begin discussions, refrain from unnecessary confrontation and pursue peaceful coexistence and mutual growth.
- Lee has shifted from his predecessor’s harder line since taking office in June 2025, offering Pyongyang talks without preconditions despite the North’s declared nuclear status
- The proposal came as North Korea denounced upcoming annual US-South Korean military drills and continued strengthening ties with Russia while remaining silent on Lee’s overtures
Why It Matters
Any move from armistice talks toward a peace regime would affect the security outlook in Northeast Asia, a region closely watched in Hong Kong for its impact on markets, shipping and diplomacy. For now, the immediate test is whether Pyongyang responds to Lee’s offer or keeps prioritising military deterrence and external partnerships.