South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed a willingness to accept a deal between former U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which would involve a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear weapons production instead of complete denuclearization. In an interview with the BBC, Lee noted that North Korea has been producing an estimated 15-20 nuclear weapons annually and argued that a freeze could serve as a “feasible, realistic alternative” to the current denuclearization efforts.
Lee emphasized the importance of a long-term goal of denuclearization while also considering more immediate and achievable goals for stopping North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. He believes that a significant breakthrough could occur if Trump and Kim were to resume talks, suggesting that a sense of mutual trust exists between them.
Since taking office in June, Lee aims to foster peaceful relations with North Korea, particularly in contrast to the tense atmosphere created by his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon faced impeachment following his attempts to impose martial law amidst rising tensions with the North. Lee’s approach includes advocating for a return to nuclear talks, which previously stalled in 2019 over North Korea’s refusal to dismantle its nuclear facilities.
As South Korea currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council, Lee has refrained from criticizing the body for its limited effectiveness regarding North Korea. He acknowledged the challenges posed by China’s and Russia’s growing ties with North Korea and aims to strengthen South Korea’s cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.
Domestically, Lee is navigating a politically polarized environment after a tumultuous period under his predecessor, who faced severe backlash for his hardline stance toward North Korea. Lee has halted government broadcasts into North Korea, which were criticized for their potential to provoke the regime, seeking to instead restore trust between the two Koreas. While North Korea has rebuffed these gestures, Lee remains focused on a pragmatic approach to achieving stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy91w0e1z2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss