President Lee Jae-myung Advocates for Permanent Peace Regime on Korean Peninsula at 81st UN General Assembly

In a significant diplomatic push during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung delivered a comprehensive address outlining a vision for a permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula. Speaking on Tuesday, September 22, during the general debate, President Lee emphasized that the transition from a state of perpetual conflict to a lasting peace is not merely a bilateral issue between the two Koreas, but a complex geopolitical challenge requiring the shared consensus and long-term engagement of major powers, including the United States and China.

According to President Lee, the primary objective for the region must be the formal termination of the state of war that has persisted since the 1950s. He argued that establishing a formal peace framework is the only viable path to ensuring regional security. During his speech, Lee acknowledged the pivotal role of U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that Trump's previous decisive actions had created a rare and valuable opportunity for renewed dialogue with Pyongyang. The South Korean leader expressed his administration's commitment to facilitating the early resumption of U.S.-North Korea talks, which he believes is the essential precursor for broader negotiations aimed at transforming the peninsula's security architecture.

President Lee further elaborated on his strategic approach to diplomacy, introducing three core principles for peaceful coexistence. These include "inclusive peaceful coexistence," "stable peaceful coexistence characterized by the absence of armed conflict," and a "peaceful coexistence that contributes to global stability." By framing peace not just as the absence of war but as a proactive contribution to world harmony, Lee positioned South Korea as a responsible global actor seeking to mitigate volatility in Northeast Asia.

Central to his proposal is a structured, "three-stage denuclearization process" consisting of a sequence of freezing nuclear activities, reducing existing stockpiles, and eventually the total abandonment of nuclear weapons. President Lee called upon the United Nations and the UN Security Council to move beyond rhetoric and take a constructive, responsible role in this process. He asserted that South Korea is prepared to act as a "front-runner" and primary facilitator in driving the dialogue forward, provided there is international cooperation.

Beyond the podium, President Lee held a private meeting with President Donald Trump lasting approximately thirty minutes. According to officials from the South Korean presidential office, the two leaders reached a mutual understanding to collaborate closely in pushing for the restart of diplomatic channels with North Korea. During the meeting, President Trump reaffirmed his willingness to re-establish contact with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. This renewed interest comes after a period of stalemate following the initial high-profile meetings during Trump's first term, which ultimately failed to produce a comprehensive agreement.

President Lee concluded that the normalization of relations between the warring parties would not only resolve immediate security threats but would also unlock immense potential for multilateral economic development and cooperation across Northeast Asia. By integrating security goals with shared prosperity, Lee envisions a region where diplomacy overrides military brinkmanship, creating a stable environment for all neighboring nations to thrive.