Lee’s Diplomatic Drive to Restart NK‑U.S. Talks and Revive 2018 Military Pact
Updated (146 articles)
Lee Positions Himself as Diplomatic Pacemaker President Lee Jae Myung opened the New Year press conference describing himself as a “pacemaker” who will push diplomacy to swiftly restart North Korea‑U.S. talks and set conditions for inter‑Korean dialogue, pledging feasible measures to elicit a North Korean response[1][2]. He framed the effort as a core pillar of his administration’s regional engagement strategy[3].
Restoration of 2018 Sept‑19 Military Agreement Lee announced Seoul will restore the September 19, 2018 inter‑Korean military agreement that was fully suspended in 2024, aiming to prevent accidental clashes and build political‑military trust[2][3][4]. The pact’s revival is presented as a confidence‑building step toward broader dialogue[5].
North Korea’s Nuclear and ICBM Threat Drives Diplomacy Lee warned that North Korea continues producing material capable of yielding ten to twenty nuclear weapons annually and is advancing intercontinental ballistic missile technology[2][3]. He outlined a three‑stage denuclearization roadmap—halt production, block transfers abroad, and curb ICBM development—anchored in a robust U.S.–South Korea alliance and a goal of a nuclear‑free peninsula[2][4].
Pyongyang’s Rejection and Tensions Over Drone Incident Despite Seoul’s overtures, Pyongyang has rebuffed the peace push and accused South Korea of drone incursions, demanding an apology, underscoring the fragile environment surrounding the diplomatic initiative[3][4].
Sources (5 articles)
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[1]
Yonhap: Lee vows diplomacy to restart NK‑U.S. talks; court to rule on ex‑PM Han; Hanwha taps Canadian officer for Ottawa bid; PM to visit U.S.; BTS filming approved: Highlights Lee’s diplomatic pledge alongside unrelated domestic news on currency, a court case, defense procurement, a U.S. visit, and BTS filming permissions.
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[2]
Yonhap: Lee vows diplomatic push to restart North Korea‑U.S. talks and revive inter‑Korean dialogue: Focuses on Lee’s diplomatic agenda, gradual thaw, restoration of the 2018 pact, nuclear/ICBM warnings, and a three‑stage denuclearization plan.
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[3]
Yonhap: Lee vows diplomatic push to resume NK‑U.S. talks and restore 2018 inter‑Korean pact: Adds detail on the drone accusation backdrop and emphasizes the same diplomatic and security points as other reports.
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[4]
Yonhap: Lee vows diplomacy to restart North Korea‑U.S. talks and restore military pact: Reiterates Lee’s pacemaker role, pact restoration, nuclear‑free goal, and notes Pyongyang’s rebuff and drone dispute.
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[5]
Yonhap: Lee calls to restore 2018 pact reducing military tension with North Korea: Provides a brief notice that Lee advocates reviving the 2018 military agreement, without further context or reaction details.
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