Overview
- At his New Year's press conference in Seoul, President Lee Jae Myung said he aims to facilitate U.S.–North Korea talks as early as possible and to create conditions for inter-Korean dialogue.
- Lee said he will work to reinstate the Sept. 19, 2018 military agreement, suspended in 2024, to reduce the risk of accidental clashes and rebuild trust.
- He outlined a three-stage plan seeking a halt to new nuclear material production, a ban on transfers abroad, and an end to ICBM development as pragmatic steps toward denuclearization.
- Lee warned that North Korea continues producing nuclear material sufficient for an estimated 10–20 weapons per year and is advancing its ICBM capabilities.
- Seoul's outreach has been rejected by Pyongyang, with tensions heightened by the North's accusation that the South flew drones into its territory.