South Korea Urges North Korea to Hold Dialogue to End Korean War

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has invited North Korea to hold dialogue on ways to end the Korean War. Lee wants the armistice agreement to be replaced with a “peace regime”.

As reported by AFP and Reuters on Saturday (15/8/2026), Lee made the dialogue proposal in his speech at the ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s independence or liberation from Japanese colonial rule, which is commemorated every 15 August in the country.

“Let us set aside the intention to threaten each other and begin discussions to end this long-running war, as the parties directly involved,” Lee said in his speech on Saturday (15/8).

“Through this step, we may also be able to discuss effective measures to halt North Korea’s nuclear capabilities,” the South Korean President said.

It is known that the two Koreas technically remain in a state of war, because the conflict that took place in 1950-1953 ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.

Lee said that Seoul would take proactive and sustainable steps to ease tensions, and build a multi-layered security system to prevent escalation.

Lee’s proposal is largely based on his commitment last year to respect North Korea’s system of government and pursue peaceful coexistence with Pyongyang.

Relations between South Korea and North Korea remain frozen. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has abandoned the reunification policy and labelled South Korea as the most hostile state, as well as ordering the strengthening of defences on the front line.

Pyongyang has rejected Lee’s overtures and criticised Seoul’s plan to possess nuclear-powered submarines. The isolated country has also condemned the joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States, which will be held next week, as an act of provocation.

North Korea even launched two missiles within the past two weeks, which were detected falling into the sea.