Seoul Proposes Direct Talks to Replace Armistice with Sustainable Peace

President Lee Jae‑myung used the 81st Liberation Day platform to unveil a comprehensive peace proposal aimed at the Korean Peninsula.

The plan urges the two Koreas to abandon the enduring armistice in favour of a permanent peace settlement. Lee highlighted that the current cease‑fire, while preventing outright hostilities, leaves both nations in a perpetual state of war.

Key elements include initiating bilateral negotiations without preconditions, fostering mutual respect, and reducing hostile narratives that have hardened over decades. The South Korean leader also called for a joint effort to limit the proliferation of North Korea’s nuclear weapons.

Lee assured that Seoul will not pursue any forced integration or hostile manoeuvre, but rather seek a path of peaceful co‑existence. He pointed out that the proposal aligns with South Korea’s broader strategy of maintaining stability while encouraging diplomatic breakthroughs.

The invitation remains open, and the international community watches closely to see if Pyongyang will respond positively or continue its previous pattern of non‑engagement.