Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung emphasized the urgency of persuading North Korea to cease the expansion of its nuclear and missile programs, presenting it as a realistic short-term objective. Lee highlighted the ongoing threat posed by the regime's advancing military capabilities to both regional and global security.

According to Yonhap News Agency, during a press conference marking his first year in office, President Lee acknowledged the long-term goal of denuclearizing North Korea but stressed the importance of addressing the immediate reality. He noted North Korea's continued production of nuclear material and the risks associated with the advancement of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology. "North Korea continues to produce nuclear material as we speak... There will be more nuclear weapons, and ICBM technology will move closer to completion. It is becoming worse. That is the reality," Lee stated.

Lee proposed a moratorium on nuclear material production and a halt to ICBM development as achievable short-term goals. He advocated for negotiations with North Korea to prevent further escalation. "Let's not give up our denuclearization goal... but seek no additional production of nuclear material, no transfer of them abroad, a moratorium, a stop to the ICBM development. We have to set this as a short-term goal and negotiate (with the North)," he said.

The President's comments come amid skepticism regarding the feasibility of North Korea's complete denuclearization, especially with Russia and China seemingly indifferent to the issue. The situation is further complicated by Chinese President Xi Jinping's state visit to Pyongyang, signaling China's intent to reinforce its influence over North Korea.

Beijing's diplomatic stance has shifted, with recent omissions of North Korea's denuclearization from official documents, such as last year's white defense paper. Meanwhile, North Korea's leadership, including Kim Yo-jong, has dismissed denuclearization efforts as outdated, asserting the country's status as a nuclear-armed state as irreversible.

President Lee underscored the necessity of resuming dialogue with North Korea to achieve the proposed short-term objectives. Citing discussions with international leaders, he emphasized the ineffectiveness of sanctions and the need for realistic negotiations with North Korea based on short-, mid-, and long-term goals.