President Lee Jae-myung's solution to North Korea's nuclear issue is a freeze, not dismantlement

President Lee Jae-myung, in written interviews with the Associated Press and The New York Times released in New York on Monday (local time), laid out a phased approach to resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, citing the value of a trade in which an easing of sanctions is exchanged for a halt to Pyongyang's nuclear development. Speaking during his visit to New York for the high-level session of the UN General Assembly, President Lee stressed that "what is needed now is political resolve at the leaders' level," and that the two leaders must meet in person to find common ground. He said both South Korea and the United States are willing to enter talks with North Korea without preconditions.

"To change the direction of a moving car, you must first stop it," President Lee said, emphasizing that a step-by-step approach leading through 'freeze, reduction, and dismantlement' is the realistic solution. He pointed out that "given the advanced state of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities, waiting for complete denuclearization to be achieved all at once is not a realistic solution." In the New York Times interview as well, he reaffirmed his position that the demand should be a 'freeze' rather than 'dismantlement.'

President Lee said he fully understands that the U.S. president can make a variety of remarks from his position, but noted that "deploying troops to a war already underway between third countries is prohibited by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea."

On Kim Ju-ae, the daughter of North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un, President Lee said he takes note of her rising status and keeps all possibilities open, while adding that it is necessary at this stage to be cautious about offering definitive views.