South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for renewed dialogue with North Korea, proposing talks aimed at formally ending the Korean War and replacing the decades-old armistice with a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee made the proposal on Saturday, August 15, 2026, during a National Liberation Day address marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule. He urged the two Koreas to set aside intentions to threaten one another and begin discussions as parties directly involved in the conflict.
The Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, ended with an armistice rather than a formal peace treaty. Consequently, the two Koreas have technically remained at war for more than seven decades.
Lee said his administration would work towards replacing what he described as an unstable armistice system with a peace regime capable of providing lasting stability on the peninsula.
As part of the proposed dialogue, the South Korean president also suggested discussing practical measures to halt the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities. He argued that negotiations aimed at reducing hostility could create an opportunity to address the North’s growing nuclear programme.
The proposal comes at a particularly tense period in relations between Seoul and Pyongyang. North Korea has remained largely unresponsive to repeated engagement efforts from Lee’s administration and has described South Korea as a hostile state.
Pyongyang has also strengthened its military relationship with Russia, while continuing to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities. North Korea recently conducted ballistic-missile launches and has strongly criticised upcoming joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Lee reiterated his commitment to peaceful coexistence. He said the two countries should respect each other and reduce unnecessary confrontation, including hostility in their perceptions, systems and policies.
The South Korean leader also proposed establishing stronger safeguards around the heavily militarised border to prevent incidents from escalating into wider conflict. A “multi-layered security system” could help manage tensions along the Demilitarised Zone, according to reports.
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