South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung has proposed a halt to North Korea's nuclear programme, offering compensation in exchange for the freeze. The move comes as Seoul seeks to improve relations with Pyongyang and restart talks over the contentious issue.
In a speech to Chinese officials, including second-term president Xi Jinping, Lee urged Beijing to mediate on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, citing concerns about trust and stability. The South Korean leader noted that progress had been made in restoring trust, but added that much work remained to be done.
Lee's proposal, which includes no additional production of nuclear weapons, no transfer of materials abroad, and no further development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), has been met with cautious optimism by analysts. While some see the offer as a positive step towards de-escalation, others view it as too soft on Pyongyang.
In Beijing, Xi Jinping urged Seoul to show "patience" in its dealings with North Korea, suggesting that Beijing's support would be conditional on restraint from both sides. Lee acknowledged this, saying that China had a point in advising restraint, particularly given the recent geopolitical tensions between Washington and Caracas.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded by emphasizing the importance of expanding his country's nuclear deterrent, citing concerns about regional security and international attention. His statements come as Venezuela faces growing instability under US-backed government President Juan Guaido.
Lee Jae Myung acknowledged that much work remains to be done in restoring trust between Seoul and Pyongyang, but emphasized South Korea's commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the issue. With Beijing playing an increasingly prominent role in mediating talks, it remains to be seen whether Lee's proposal will yield tangible results or simply serve as a stepping stone for further negotiations.
The stalled nuclear programme has long been a major point of contention between Seoul and Pyongyang, with South Korea viewing North Korea's nuclear ambitions as a serious threat. Lee's offer represents a significant shift in tone from previous South Korean governments, which had taken a more hardline stance against Pyongyang.
China's role as mediator has also sparked debate within the region, with some hailing Beijing's efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula and others questioning China's influence over the issue. With the stakes remaining high, all parties will be watching closely for any signs of progress in South Korea-North Korea relations.
In a speech to Chinese officials, including second-term president Xi Jinping, Lee urged Beijing to mediate on issues related to the Korean Peninsula, citing concerns about trust and stability. The South Korean leader noted that progress had been made in restoring trust, but added that much work remained to be done.
Lee's proposal, which includes no additional production of nuclear weapons, no transfer of materials abroad, and no further development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), has been met with cautious optimism by analysts. While some see the offer as a positive step towards de-escalation, others view it as too soft on Pyongyang.
In Beijing, Xi Jinping urged Seoul to show "patience" in its dealings with North Korea, suggesting that Beijing's support would be conditional on restraint from both sides. Lee acknowledged this, saying that China had a point in advising restraint, particularly given the recent geopolitical tensions between Washington and Caracas.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has responded by emphasizing the importance of expanding his country's nuclear deterrent, citing concerns about regional security and international attention. His statements come as Venezuela faces growing instability under US-backed government President Juan Guaido.
Lee Jae Myung acknowledged that much work remains to be done in restoring trust between Seoul and Pyongyang, but emphasized South Korea's commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution to the issue. With Beijing playing an increasingly prominent role in mediating talks, it remains to be seen whether Lee's proposal will yield tangible results or simply serve as a stepping stone for further negotiations.
The stalled nuclear programme has long been a major point of contention between Seoul and Pyongyang, with South Korea viewing North Korea's nuclear ambitions as a serious threat. Lee's offer represents a significant shift in tone from previous South Korean governments, which had taken a more hardline stance against Pyongyang.
China's role as mediator has also sparked debate within the region, with some hailing Beijing's efforts to stabilize the Korean Peninsula and others questioning China's influence over the issue. With the stakes remaining high, all parties will be watching closely for any signs of progress in South Korea-North Korea relations.
... on one hand i think its a good start that south korea is trying to talk to north korea again but the offer seems kinda watered down to me... like, if we're gonna do this we should be expecting some real concessions from pyongyang not just a pause. also chinese involvement in mediating talks is interesting... i dont know if they have an angle on how this will all play out 
. And what about the trust issues? It's been years since South Korea and North Korea had any real talks, so how can we expect things to change overnight? 
I guess only time will tell if this proposal is a step in the right direction or just a band-aid solution 
.
. and china's just trying to keep the peace, right? 
but, tbh, kim jong un's response is kinda worrying...like, what if north korea just uses this as a chance to build more nukes 
? anywayz, gotta give lee Jae myung credit for tryin' somethin new, even if it might not work out 
That just seems like a recipe for disaster! 
. Lee Jae Myung thinks a few billion dollars will magically make North Korea abandon its nuclear programme? Give me a break 
. And what about the 'no transfer of materials abroad' clause? How are they gonna enforce that? 
It's just a bunch of empty promises at this point 
, but let's not get our hopes up 
. We need concrete actions, not just diplomatic spin 
. Can't we just take things to the next level already? 
. We need to calm down and think about the bigger picture here. This isn't just about North Korea's nukes; it's about regional stability and the US, China, and South Korea all having to play nice 
.
. What's to stop them from just using that cash to fund more nukes? And what's the real motive here? Is China just trying to get its foot in the door and gain more influence on the peninsula? Xi Jinping is known for being all talk and no action 
. I'm not buying it.
. We'll see how long it takes before tensions escalate again and the whole thing falls apart 
It's a huge step forward in de-escalating tensions between Seoul and Pyongyang. I think offering compensation is a clever move, as it shows the South Korean government is willing to put its money where its mouth is 
. China's role as mediator is definitely a game-changer – their influence could be the key to unlocking a peaceful resolution 
. Fingers crossed this proposal leads to something tangible! 
However, I do think the offer might be seen as too soft on Pyongyang by some analysts 
Nevertheless, it will be fascinating to see how North Korea responds and whether Lee's proposal can lead to tangible progress