South Koreas president proposes direct talks with North Korea to end Korean War
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed on Saturday that North Korea engage in direct talks to formally end the Korean War, which has remained technically unresolved since the 1950-53 conflict concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule, Lee urged both sides to abandon mutual threats and begin discussions as the directly involved parties. “Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties,” he said . He added that such talks could also address measures to halt the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities.
The proposal follows North Korea’s repeated declarations that it is an “irreversible” nuclear state, a stance solidified after the 2019 Hanoi summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and then-U.S. President Donald Trump collapsed over denuclearization and sanctions relief. Pyongyang has yet to respond to Lee’s offers, which mark a shift from his predecessor’s hawkish approach. Since taking office in June 2025, Lee has offered unconditional dialogue with North Korea, and in July, [South Korea’s](en.wikipedia.org) unification minister stated Seoul had abandoned its campaign to pressure Pyongyang into dismantling its nuclear arsenal, focusing instead on halting its expansion.
Lee’s call comes as North Korea condemned upcoming annual U.S.-South Korean military drills, warning of stronger deterrence measures. Pyongyang has also reacted to Japan’s military buildup, conducting two ballistic missile tests in less than a week after Tokyo pledged to enhance its defense capabilities. North Korea has simultaneously deepened military ties with Russia, with reports suggesting discussions on further arms supplies to Moscow.
In a separate development on Saturday, Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi visited Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 2.5 million war dead, including convicted war criminals from World War II. The visit drew rebukes from China and South Korea, with Beijing strongly condemning the action and Seoul expressing “deep regret” over what it called “anachronistic” behavior . Koizumi later stated on Instagram that he visited to pay respects to those who sacrificed their lives for the nation.
Meanwhile, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attended a government-sponsored memorial in Tokyo for the 81st anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II. In her speech, she pledged to uphold Japan’s postwar path as a peaceful nation but did not mention remorse, a departure from her predecessor’s remarks last year . Takaichi sent a ritual offering to Yasukuni Shrine but did not visit in person.
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Japanese minister visits shrine to war dead, angering China, South Korea Defence Minister Koizumis visit to Yasukuni Shrine comes on the 81st anniversary of Japans surrender in WWII.
aljazeera · about 9 hours ago
🔴 BREAKINGSouth Korea President Proposes Talks to End Korean WarSouth Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed dialogue with Pyongyang to formally end the Korean War, which has technically continued for over 70 years due to the absence of a peace treaty.📰 #Geopolitics #GeoWire
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