President Lee Proposes 'End of War': "We Will Take Proactive Peace Measures, Also Discuss Halting North Korea's Nuclear Program" (Comprehensive)

President Lee Attends the 81st Liberation Day Commemoration
"Let's Begin Discussions to End the Long-standing War"
"Opening a New 60 Years of Peace and Prosperity for Korea and Japan"
"Differences Must Not Become Hostility, We Are One Team"

President Lee Jae-myung presented a vision on August 15, proposing the start of discussions with North Korea to end the war and halt the advancement of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Regarding Korea-Japan relations, he expressed the view that the two countries should become closer while also taking into account those who suffered from historical issues and their bereaved families.

On this day, at the 81st Liberation Day celebration held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, President Lee stated, "We will embark on a journey to end the war and transform the unstable armistice regime on the Korean Peninsula into a peace regime." He called on the parties concerned to "set aside mutual threats and begin discussions to end this long-standing war." He added, "Through these discussions, effective measures to halt the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities could also be considered."

"Let's Begin Discussions to End the Long-standing War"

President Lee Jae-myung is giving a congratulatory speech at the 81st Liberation Day celebration held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul on August 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

At last year's Liberation Day celebration, President Lee made clear that he would respect North Korea's regime, not pursue any form of absorption unification, and refrain from any hostile acts. This year, one year later, President Lee announced, "I want to present a blueprint to move beyond principle to action," and proposed "inclusive, peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect."

President Lee stressed, "The South and the North must respect each other and stop unnecessary confrontation," emphasizing that "both sides should reduce hostility starting with perceptions, norms, and institutions." He also said, "I hope the two Koreas can sit face-to-face for peaceful coexistence and joint growth," further explaining, "This would not be a concession, but the starting point of coexistence."

President Lee added, "We need to establish mechanisms to manage tension and conflict, and multiple safety devices to prevent crises and escalation." He declared, "We will comprehensively examine the security situation around the Korean Peninsula and take proactive, sustained peace measures. We will encourage North Korea's participation to achieve a stable peninsula."

Furthermore, President Lee said, "The image of South Korea trapped by hostility and confrontation is not suitable for realizing the potential and dynamism of our people," vowing, "I will transform the energy of hostility and confrontation into a driving force for peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity. As a pacemaker and key party for peace on the Korean Peninsula, I will fully fulfill my responsibilities."

"Korea and Japan, Let’s Open a New 60 Years of Peace and Prosperity"

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are singing the Liberation Day song together with attendees at the 81st Liberation Day celebration held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on August 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

President Lee also shared his outlook on Korea-Japan relations. He said, "Over the past year, the two countries have continued active shuttle diplomacy and have been building a foundation of trust," explaining, "We have expanded cooperation in supply chains, energy, and high-tech industries, and steadily broadened the basis for exchanges between future generations."

However, President Lee stated, "For these accomplishments to continue steadily, above all, solid trust between the people of both countries is needed." He added, "Trust comes from sincere understanding and empathy for each other's pain," and acknowledged, "There are still victims and bereaved families living with the wounds and suffering of the past today."

President Lee referenced the 1998 'Kim Dae-jung-Obuchi Joint Declaration,' saying, "There was also the effort to open the future with courage and sincerity that squarely faced the past," and stressed, "As Korea-Japan cooperation is more important than ever, the light of our new bilateral relations should bring warmth, especially to those still bearing pain in the shadows of history."

He continued, "On this stronger foundation of trust, I hope both governments will open a new era of even 'closer neighbors,' a new 60 years of peace and prosperity together."

"Differences Must Not Become Hostility... We Are One Team"

President Lee Jae-myung and First Lady Kim Hye-kyung are raising a three cheers for victory with the attendees at the 81st Liberation Day Celebration held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul on August 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Meanwhile, President Lee stated, "The vision of an irreplaceable Republic of Korea is not an empty slogan or a distant hope. It is an urgent promise to overcome harsh realities together and achieve growth for everyone."

He asked, "Our responsibility is to shine the legacy passed down from our forebears farther and more brightly, to improve the lives of our people and the world’s tomorrow. To do this, we must first remove barriers among ourselves."

President Lee underlined, "Differences must not become hostility, nor should hatred, exclusion, and conflict block the nation's progress." He pointed out that "when facing a world economic environment transformed into national competition, the people and government, central and local, businesses and workers—we are all one team." He continued, "No matter how different our perspectives and interests, the nation in which we and future generations will live is one."

President Lee promised, "The government, as the embodiment of popular sovereignty, will take the lead in politics of compromise and coexistence," adding, "We will seek shared solutions while respecting differences, compete but unite before the nation’s future, and together with the people, write a new history of liberation."

"Assets of Pro-Japanese Collaborators Will Fund Meritorious Persons’ Benefits"

President Lee Jae-myung is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 81st Liberation Day Celebration held at Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul on August 15, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News

On the occasion of Liberation Day, President Lee paid tribute, saying, "I bow my head in infinite respect and gratitude to the patriotic forebears who dedicated their lives as one, to all surviving independence meritorious persons, and to their families."

President Lee pledged, "To truly honor their noble spirit, we will provide greater respect for living independence activists and persons of merit, expand our efforts to identify and reward unrecognized independence fighters, and actively establish memorial facilities for the independence movement both at home and abroad to spread the footsteps of proud history to future generations."

President Lee further stated, "With the enactment of the Act on the Transfer of Pro-Japanese Property on June 2, we will thoroughly investigate and recover assets wrongfully accumulated by pro-Japanese collaborators, holding them fully accountable to history." He added, "We will manage nationalized pro-Japanese assets with greater responsibility so that these resources are dedicated entirely to supporting and honoring independence merit recipients and their families."

He emphasized, "I will do my utmost to correct the wrongs of history and protect the honor and lives of those who devoted themselves to independence."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.