South Korean President Lee Jae-myung marked the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese rule by pledging a new approach toward North Korea. In his speech, he promised to respect the DPRK’s system, rejected any plan for unification by absorption, and ruled out hostile acts.
This stance is a shift from former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s 2024 policy, which pushed for faster unification. Instead, Lee said he will take gradual steps to rebuild trust, including restoring the suspended 2018 inter-Korean military pact. Recent moves—like removing border loudspeakers and halting leaflet campaigns—are part of this effort.
Lee emphasized that “trust is built through actions, not words” and urged both sides to move beyond Cold War thinking, hoping Pyongyang will respond with similar goodwill.
Credit: CGTN