S. Korea's Lee Renews Appeal for N. Korea to Restore Talks
Addressing attendees at the 22nd Peaceful Unification Advisory Council inauguration ceremony, Lee emphasized that reunification remains an inevitable journey whether it requires decades or centuries, media reported.
"The historic task given to us is to end hostility and confrontation between the two Koreas, and to build a new inter-Korean relationship based on peaceful existence," Lee said.
The president advocated for immediately reopening communication and negotiation channels between the rival states, explicitly clarifying that Seoul rejects any strategy involving forced absorption of the North.
Since assuming office in June, President Lee's government has actively pursued rapprochement with Pyongyang, discontinuing border loudspeaker operations and calling for cessation of anti-North Korean propaganda distribution. Yet meaningful dialogue remains elusive, as Pyongyang has ignored South Korea's recent diplomatic initiatives, including proposed military-level discussions.
President Lee also dismissed opposition demands that South Korea develop indigenous nuclear weapons Tuesday, declaring such approval from the global community would be "impossible" to secure.
"If we were to go nuclear, it would be impossible to gain the approval of the US or the international community, and economic and international sanctions would immediately follow. Would we be able to bear that?" he said.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun previously echoed this position, cautioning that abandoning the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty could transform South Korea into a "second North Korea."
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