Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday proposed that the two Koreas begin talks on ending their long-running war and discuss practical ways to halt the advancement of Pyongyang's nuclear program, pledging to seek a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. Lee made the proposal in his speech at a ceremony marking the 81st Liberation Day, which commemorates Korea's liberation from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the necessity of mutual cooperation for peace by stating, "Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties." He further added, "In the process, (we) may also discuss effective ways to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities." This call for dialogue underscores the ongoing efforts to resolve tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which have persisted since the 1950-53 Korean War concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

Lee's commitment to establishing a peace regime was evident as he declared his intention to replace the "unstable armistice system" with a more stable peace framework. Despite the North's lack of response to Seoul's repeated efforts to engage since Lee took office in June last year, his administration remains steadfast in its pursuit of reconciliation and dialogue.