SEOUL – South Korea’s President lee Jae-myung is signaling a willingness to accept a potential deal brokered by former U.S. President Donald Trump with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to freeze Pyongyang‘s nuclear program, even if it falls short of complete denuclearization.the move comes as Lee attempts to de-escalate tensions on the Korean peninsula following a period of domestic political upheaval and a sharply antagonistic approach to the North under his predecessor.
Lee has already taken steps to improve relations, halting South Korea’s decade-long practice of broadcasting radio programs into North Korea, despite criticism from human rights organizations who argue the broadcasts provide a vital source of outside information to the isolated nation. ”We judge that [these broadcasts] have almost no practical effect,” Lee stated, adding that the benefits did not outweigh “the cost of antagonising the regime.”
The previous administration, led by Yoon, faced accusations of escalating tensions with North Korea and even attempted to justify a failed bid to impose martial law by alleging infiltration of government institutions by Pyongyang supporters. Yoon is now facing a potential life sentence.
Despite Lee’s efforts at reconciliation,North Korea has dismissed his overtures,labeling him “delusional” and a “daydreamer.” However, Lee appears undeterred, recognizing that a renewed dialog facilitated by Trump represents his moast viable path toward peace.Lee has publicly acknowledged the unlikelihood of achieving complete denuclearization in the short term,positioning himself as a pragmatic leader willing to consider interim solutions. He believes a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear program, even if temporary, would be a crucial first step.
