South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stated today that inter-Korean relations have become hostile and confrontational. Speaking on a flight to Turkey during a tour of Africa and the Middle East, he noted, "North Korea is taking extreme actions that show no basic level of trust."

"We are in a very dangerous situation where unintended clashes could occur at any moment," he warned, emphasizing the need for patient efforts to resume negotiations and minimize the risk.

President Lee Jae-myung speaking before the National Assembly in Seoul on 4/11. Photo: AFP

President Lee reiterated his call from 17/11 for negotiations to clarify the military demarcation line (MDL) between the two countries, aiming to prevent unintended clashes near the border. North Korea has not yet responded to this proposal.

The MDL lies within the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a buffer area 4 km wide and 250 km long, covered with minefields, barbed wire fences, and anti-tank traps. Despite its name, the DMZ remains one of the world's most heavily armed and militarized areas.

Lee stated that North Korea has installed three layers of barbed wire along the MDL, despite ongoing disagreements between the two sides regarding its precise boundary. "Because all communication channels are cut off, even if an unintended clash occurs, there is no way to resolve it," he added.

To de-escalate tensions on the peninsula, President Lee emphasized the need to promote dialogue between South Korea and North Korea, even if Pyongyang does not respond.

Lee reaffirmed that unification with North Korea remains South Korea's ultimate goal, but noted that this must be approached from a long-term perspective.

"We do not intend to pursue unification through absorption," he stated, emphasizing that discussions about unification should only occur after they resume dialogue and both sides can establish conditions for peaceful coexistence.

When asked if South Korea would consider reducing joint military exercises with the United States to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table, Lee said it was too early to draw conclusions, calling it the "most sensitive issue" for Pyongyang.

"If the two Koreas firmly establish a stable peace mechanism, not conducting exercises is a desirable goal," he stated. "Depending on the situation, reducing or postponing exercises could become an outcome of building a peace mechanism or leverage to help create it. It is difficult to say at this moment which will occur."

Pyongyang has not commented on Lee's statements. North Korea has long criticized joint US-South Korea exercises, calling them rehearsals for a nuclear war against them. The United States deploys approximately 28,500 troops and weapon systems in South Korea.

Vu Hoang (According to Reuters, UPI, AFP)