Korea War May End

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, which has been technically ongoing since the 1953 armistice. The proposal aims to replace the armistice with a peace regime.

Lee Jae Myung suggested a 'multi-layered security system' to avoid flare-ups along the countries' de-facto border. He expressed hope that the two nations 'will sit face-to-face for peaceful coexistence and mutual growth', which could serve as a forum for discussing 'effective ways to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities'.

North Korea has continually tested ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, and declared itself a nuclear power in 2022, vowing never to relinquish its weapons. Lee Jae Myung previously stated that Pyongyang is producing 15 to 20 more warheads annually.

In addition to the proposal for talks with North Korea, Lee Jae Myung also called for deeper ties with Japan in his Liberation Day address. He pledged to 'broaden the scope of cooperation for mutual benefit and work together to address shared challenges' with Japan.

## Context The Korean War ended with an armistice in 1953, rather than a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically at war. The conflict has been effectively frozen since then, but there have been clashes and tensions along the demilitarised zone (DMZ) in the decades since. Lee Jae Myung's proposal for talks with North Korea and deeper ties with Japan marks a significant development in the region's diplomatic landscape.