South Korea's President has indicated his acceptance of a potential deal involving Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un for a halt on North Korea's nuclear weapons production. Lee Jae-myung shared his views with the BBC, underscoring the potential of this arrangement as a pragmatic step towards peace. According to President Lee, North Korea is currently producing 15-20 nuclear weapons annually, and implementing a freeze could serve as a realistic and immediate alternative to complete denuclearization.
Lee stated, So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearisation, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development, advocating for adopting more attainable goals. His government seeks to foster peaceful relationships with North Korea and to diminish the heightened tensions that surged under his predecessor.
Throughout his tenure, Lee has emphasized the importance of negotiations with North Korea, especially after previous talks with Trump fell apart in 2019. The current geopolitical landscape complicates South Korea's position, particularly with China and Russia's increasing closeness to North Korea.
Lee's cautious approach highlights the delicate balance South Korea must maintain between maintaining its alliance with the US and managing its trade relationship with China. The future of nuclear negotiations remains uncertain, but Lee appears to align with a more realistic view of diplomacy, recognizing that North Korea's nuclear capabilities cannot simply be wished away.
