What did Lee Jae Myung say about a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula?

Lee said South Korea remains committed to replacing the armistice that ended fighting in the Korean War with a permanent peace regime. He said the government will do its utmost to turn renewed North Korea-U.S. dialogue into talks that end the war and establish peace on the peninsula.

Why did Lee mention the Pyongyang Joint Declaration in his remarks?

Lee said the 2018 declaration affirmed the two Koreas' determination to end military hostility across their border and boost cooperation. He also said he would uphold it as a milestone guiding government efforts.

How did Lee describe the current situation between North Korea and the United States?

Lee said there are signs of hope for the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States. He said this comes even as inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation have ceased and tensions have risen, with North Korea rapidly advancing its nuclear weapons capabilities.

Lee reaffirms commitment to establishing peace regime on Korean Peninsula

Listen

Summary

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday reiterated his commitment to replacing the Korean War armistice with a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. In a speech read at a National Assembly ceremony marking the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, he said inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation have ceased while tensions have risen. Lee also said signs of renewed North Korea-U.S. dialogue offer hope and pledged to help turn that into talks ending war and building peace.

Key Facts

The speech was delivered by Kim Kyoung-soo, Lee's special aide for political affairs, at a ceremony at the National Assembly commemorating the Pyongyang Joint Declaration.
The Pyongyang Joint Declaration was signed on Sept. 19, 2018 by then President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after their summit in Pyongyang.
Lee said North Korea's nuclear weapons capabilities have advanced rapidly while inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation have stopped.
He described the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue as a sign of hope and said the government will do its utmost to help that lead to discussions to end the war on the Korean Peninsula.
Lee said the 2018 agreement should remain a milestone guiding relevant government efforts.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 18, 2026 4:41 pm KST

President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a press conference at Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Friday reiterated his commitment to replacing the armistice that suspended the 1950-53 Korean War with a permanent peace regime.

The president made the remarks in a speech at a ceremony at the National Assembly commemorating the Pyongyang Joint Declaration, signed on Sept 19, 2018 by then President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un following their summit in Pyongyang. The speech was read on his behalf by Kim Kyoung-soo, Lee's special aide for political affairs.

The 2018 declaration affirmed the two Koreas' determination to end military hostility across their border and to boost cooperation.

Lee said that despite the declaration, inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation have ceased while tensions have risen, highlighting North Korea's rapid advancement of its nuclear weapons capabilities in the meantime.

Now, South Korea is witnessing signs of hope for the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, the president noted, pledging to help expedite its resumption and efforts to have it develop into dialogue for a peace regime on the peninsula.

"There is a hand tapping the door for North Korea-U.S, talks again," Lee said, apparently referring to U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated bid to resume diplomacy with North Korea's Kim.

"Our government will do its utmost to have the gesture lead to the resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue and develop into discussions to end war on the Korean Peninsula and establish a peace regime," the president said.

He also voiced his commitment to upholding the 2018 agreement as a milestone guiding relevant government efforts.

Explore More