What did Lee Jae Myung say about his role in North Korea-U.S. dialogue during his France visit?

Lee said he will serve as a pacemaker to help revive North Korea-U.S. dialogue. He said such talks could help halt the buildup of Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities and fit within Seoul’s peaceful coexistence policy toward North Korea.

Why did Lee Jae Myung say North Korea-U.S. talks matter for Pyongyang's nuclear program?

Lee said renewed dialogue could help stop the advance of Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities. He also said the wall of distrust cannot be broken overnight and that Seoul is working to reduce inter-Korean tensions through peaceful coexistence.

What else did Lee Jae Myung say about South Korea-France relations during the trip?

Lee said bilateral friendship with France is entering a new stage oriented toward the future. He pledged to further strengthen cooperation as he visited France at Macron’s invitation after Macron’s visit to South Korea in April.

Lee reaffirms commitment to 'pacemaker' role to promote N. Korea-US dialogue

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Summary

President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed in Nice, France, his commitment to serving as a pacemaker for North Korea-U.S. dialogue. He said renewed talks could help halt Pyongyang’s nuclear buildup and repeated his administration’s peaceful coexistence policy toward the North. Lee also said South Korea is trying to expand its role in the alliance by raising defense spending and strengthening military capabilities.

Key Facts

Lee made the remarks in a written interview with Le Monde published Sunday as he arrived in Nice for the first stop of his four-day trip to France.
His France trip includes a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Lee said he does not believe the wall of distrust with North Korea can be dismantled overnight through a few measures.
He said South Korea is increasing defense spending and strengthening military capabilities to expand its role in the alliance.
Lee said the two countries are marking the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 7, 2026 10:26 am KST

President Lee Jae Myung, left, and his wife, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, are welcomed to Nice, France, after stepping off the presidential plane, Sept. 6. Yonhap

NICE, France — President Lee Jae Myung has reaffirmed his commitment to playing a "pacemaker" role in promoting the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, saying the move could help halt the advance of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.

The president reiterated the commitment during a written interview with French media outlet Le Monde, published Sunday, as Lee arrived in Nice for the first stop of his four-day trip to France, which will include a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

"I will serve as a pacemaker who will help revive North Korea-U.S. dialogue," Le Monde quoted Lee as saying, adding this could serve as a means of halting the buildup of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.

Lee said he does not believe "the wall of distrust" can be dismantled overnight through a few measures, reaffirming his administration's efforts to fulfill its "peaceful coexistence" policy toward North Korea, aimed at reducing inter-Korean tensions and building peace.

The South Korean president also referred to U.S. President Donald Trump's recent remarks on South Korea, noting that they do not represent an attack that could compromise the alliance's sustainability, but an intent to overhaul the alliance in line with new demands stemming from the changing times.

Lee highlighted that Seoul is exerting efforts to expand its role in the alliance by increasing its defense spending and strengthening its military capabilities.

On South Korea-France relations, the president noted their bilateral friendship is entering a new stage oriented toward the future, pledging efforts to further strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Lee's ongoing trip to France comes at the invitation of Macron following the French leader's visit to South Korea in April. The leaders' exchange of visits comes as the two countries mark the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

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