South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has affirmed his commitment to engaging with North Korea, stating, “We will not be discouraged or cease our efforts due to North Korea’s lack of an immediate response.” He further emphasized, “The more complex the situation, the more patience we must exercise in carefully unraveling it.”
In a congratulatory message delivered on Thursday at the International Korean Peninsula Forum, held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul’s Jongno-gu, Lee remarked, “As the adage goes, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ Rebuilding trust and reestablishing dialogue are our initial steps. Trust is forged through actions, not mere words.”
Lee also pledged to “spare no effort in establishing frameworks that will effectively support the de-escalation of military tensions between North and South Korea and foster peaceful coexistence.” He acknowledged that despite celebrating the 80th anniversary of liberation this year, South Korea still grapples with unresolved issues stemming from division and confrontation.
Lee pointed out, “While South Korea has achieved both industrialization and democratization since gaining independence, the challenge of national division remains unresolved.” He elaborated, “This is why I advocate for prioritizing growth over division as a means to open a new era on the Korean Peninsula. It’s imperative that we bring an end to the period of confrontation and hostility between North and South Korea.”
