Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Monday urged the implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements in a phased manner to mend relations with North Korea. This call comes days after he reaffirmed his commitment to restoring ties and trust, including the revival of the 2018 military tension reduction pact.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized during a Cabinet meeting that "true security lies in safeguarding peace." He stressed the importance of taking deliberate steps to ease tensions while maintaining a strong defense posture. Lee instructed relevant ministries to begin preparing for the phased implementation of existing agreements, starting with those that are readily actionable.

Lee's comments follow his Liberation Day address, where he reiterated his administration's intent to reduce tensions and rebuild trust with Pyongyang. He assured that under his leadership, South Korea would respect North Korea's current system and not pursue unification through absorption.

Furthermore, Lee outlined plans for "proactive, gradual steps" to reinstate the Sept. 19 military agreement, which was originally signed in 2018 to alleviate border tensions between the two Koreas.