During a cabinet meeting today, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung emphasized the critical role of Seoul-Pyongyang relations in safeguarding South Korea's national interests and broadening its diplomatic horizons amid the rapidly shifting international landscape.
"I have instructed relevant ministries to prepare for the phased implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements, starting with those that are feasible," he stated.
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President Lee Jae-myung chairs a cabinet meeting in Seoul on 18/8. Photo: Yonhap |
President Lee Jae-myung chairs a cabinet meeting in Seoul on 18/8. Photo: Yonhap
While not specifying which agreements, President Lee indicated on 15/8 that South Korea intends to revive the 2018 agreement on suspending certain military activities along the inter-Korean border.
He also mentioned Seoul's plan to implement measures to de-escalate tensions and rebuild trust with Pyongyang. The president affirmed South Korea's respect for North Korea's current political system and its commitment to avoiding unification through absorption.
Since taking office in June, President Lee's administration has pursued improved relations with North Korea. However, Pyongyang has so far rejected Seoul's overtures.
"If South Korea, which ignited the atmosphere of extreme confrontation after declaring North Korea as its main enemy, expects to reverse all consequences with a few emotional statements, this is nothing short of a serious miscalculation," Kim Yo-jong, North Korea's top foreign policy official, said on 28/7.
Huyen Le (According to Reuters, Yonhap)
