South Korea proposes talks to finally end Korean War

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on North Korea to enter talks on ending the 1950-1953 Korean War on August 15, the 81st anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day, arguing that the peninsula needs a “new liberation” to move forward. The war ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

“We are acutely aware of the consequences that a war on the other side of the globe has for the lives of our citizens. How much greater would be the cost of tensions and conflict on our own soil?” Lee said, according to his administration.

The president made his first proposal for inter-Korean talks aimed at transitioning from the current armistice regime to a permanent peace framework. He outlined three directions for relations between the two Koreas: respectful, inclusive and peaceful coexistence, as well as responsible peaceful coexistence.

“First, we must strive for peaceful coexistence based on the principles of inclusiveness and mutual respect. We must work to become less aggressive, beginning with our own perceptions, rules and institutions,” Lee said.

Lee called for transforming the armistice system into a peace system, launching negotiations to formally end the Korean War and discussing practical ways to halt the development of North Korea’s nuclear program, including measures to limit its operational capabilities.

“I hope that the South and the North can sit down at the same table to achieve peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity,” the president said. He added that dialogue would be “not a concession, but the beginning of peaceful coexistence.”

Lee also said a “multilevel security system” was needed to manage tensions and confrontation, along with institutions capable of preventing crises and escalation.

Relations between North and South Korea, however, remain frozen. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has abandoned the policy of reunification, designated South Korea as his country’s most hostile state and ordered the strengthening of border defences.

By Tamilla Hasanova