Seoul – In written responses to the Associated Press before departing for the United Nations General Assembly, South Korea’s liberal President Lee Jae‑Myung outlined a pragmatic, phased strategy for North Korea’s nuclear dismantlement. Lee argued that a “stop, reduction and dismantlement” roadmap is the only realistic path to curb the regime’s advancing weapons capabilities.
Lee’s phased proposal
Lee said, “To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first.” He warned that waiting for complete denuclearisation would allow Pyongyang to continue advancing its arsenal, increasing the threat to regional stability. Instead, Lee proposes incremental steps that tie each reduction in nuclear capacity to concrete economic and political incentives for the North.
Trump’s diplomatic push
President Donald Trump recently scaled back the annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, describing the move as a goodwill gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump’s social‑media post framed the reduction as a clear signal that the United States harbors no hostile intent. Lee welcomed the gesture, calling it “a deliberate step to send a clear message” and emphasizing that both Seoul and Washington remain open to dialogue without preconditions.
Critics and concerns
Some analysts caution that a phased approach could allow North Korea to extract concessions—such as sanctions relief—while retaining enough capability to resume full‑scale testing. They argue that without firm verification mechanisms, Pyongyang might never fully abandon its nuclear program. These concerns are voiced by regional security experts and think‑tank scholars who track North Korean weapons development.
U.S.–South Korea partnership
Lee highlighted the deep strategic ties between the two allies, noting planned cooperation in shipbuilding that would revitalize U.S. naval capacity and create growth opportunities for South Korean firms. He also mentioned expanding a naval unit in the Gulf of Aden to protect South Korean vessels and oil shipping routes, underscoring the broader security cooperation that extends beyond the Korean Peninsula.
UN reforms and broader agenda
During the General Assembly, Lee called for reforms to the United Nations, arguing that redundancy and inefficiency hinder rapid crisis response. He urged greater authority for field operatives and emphasized the need for the multilateral system to keep pace with challenges such as climate change and artificial‑intelligence impacts.
Looking ahead
Lee said the next step is a political decision at the leaders’ level: “The two leaders should build trust and work together to identify common ground, face‑to‑face.” He expressed optimism that renewed Trump‑Kim diplomacy could reopen inter‑Korean dialogue and pave the way for a formal end to the 1950‑53 Korean War.
While the ultimate outcome remains uncertain, Lee’s emphasis on a phased, pragmatic solution aligns with his broader vision of a stable, prosperous future for the Korean Peninsula, rooted in strong U.S.–South Korean partnership and a commitment to dialogue over confrontation.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
