South Korea Proposes Talks to Officially End War with North

South Korea’s president Lee Jae Myung has urged his northern neighbour to start talks that could formally end the Korean War, which remains technically active since the 1953 armistice and the absence of a peace treaty.

The president has suggested a multi‑layered security system to prevent flare‑ups along the de‑facto border known as the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) and offered to discuss practical ways of halting Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions.

North Korea continues to test ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads—a move Seoul and nearby Japan see as intimidation and power projection.

Since the 1953 armistice, the peninsula has been frozen in a state of war, with occasional clashes, provocations and balloon‑carrying propaganda flights across the DMZ.

Lee, who entered office last year after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, is trying to thaw relations with North Korea and China, whose ties had soured under Yoon’s leadership.

During a Liberation Day ceremony he called for both sides to cease threatening each other and open discussions to officially end the long‑running war, aiming at peaceful coexistence and mutual growth.

He also said the talks could serve as a forum to halt the North’s nuclear build‑up.

The North has yet to respond to the offer; its state news agency reported Kim Jong Un’s same‑day celebrations of Liberation Day with wreaths and a guard of honour.

Pyongyang has previously rebuffed engagements, condemning Israeli building of nuclear‑powered submarines for South Korea and denouncing joint drills with the United States and South Korea.

In January 2024 the North’s leader announced that unification was no longer possible, arguing that the South must be viewed as a permanent foe and that any conflict should aim at “occupying, recapturing” and incorporating the South.

Since declaring itself a nuclear power in 2022, the North is estimated to possess dozens of nuclear weapons, with reports suggesting it produces 15‑20 more warheads annually.

Lee has also pointed to a past deal between former US President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un to freeze nuclear production, expressing hope for a similar agreement in the future.

Just before a scheduled US‑South Korea joint military exercise, North Korea fired a ballistic missile into the sea, marking its 11th suspected test this year and adding to the tense security environment.