Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung proposed restoring communication channels with North Korea on Tuesday, saying it will serve as a starting point for "peaceful coexistence" between Seoul and Pyongyang. Lee made the remarks during an event to mark the launch of the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, stressing that unification is a path that must be taken regardless of whether it takes decades or even a millennia.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the importance of ending hostility and confrontation between the two Koreas and building a new inter-Korean relationship based on peaceful existence. He suggested that restoring the dialogue channels, which have been suspended for seven years, could be the first step. Lee also highlighted the need for "shared growth" benefiting both Seoul and Pyongyang and called for cooperation in areas of global interest such as climate and environmental issues, disaster safety, and public health.

Lee reiterated the administration's commitment to ending the state of war on the Korean Peninsula, pursuing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and establishing lasting peace. He vowed to act as a "pacemaker" to facilitate dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang. Additionally, he mentioned taking active measures to reduce military tensions along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and prevent accidental clashes in border areas.

Lee stated that South Korea, ranked among the world's top five military powers and supported by a strong South Korea-U.S. alliance, should not remain "trapped in the past" regarding inter-Korean issues. He also clarified that South Korea has no intention of pursuing unification by absorption.

Since taking office in June, the Lee administration has suspended loudspeaker broadcasts along the border and urged civic groups to halt anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns as part of efforts to mend frayed ties. However, prospects for resuming dialogue with North Korea remain uncertain, as Pyongyang has been unresponsive to South Korea's peace overtures. Last month, South Korea proposed military talks with North Korea to discuss the MDL, but there has been no response from Pyongyang so far.