On August 18, 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stood before his Cabinet in Seoul, reiterating a message that has become central to his administration since taking office in June: the relationship between Seoul and Pyongyang is not just a matter of historic rivalry, but a vital lifeline for national security and the country’s diplomatic ambitions. In a world where the international landscape seems to shift with every sunrise, Lee’s call for a renewed approach to North Korea is both bold and, some might say, overdue.
"True security lies in safeguarding peace. What we need now is the courage to gradually reduce tensions, while maintaining a strong deterrent posture," President Lee declared during the Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office, according to Yonhap. He called on relevant ministries to get ready for phased implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements, urging them to start with the most feasible areas. "I request the related ministries to prepare for phased implementation of existing inter-Korean agreements, starting with those that can be realized," Lee said, signaling a pragmatic, step-by-step approach rather than sweeping, unrealistic promises.
This latest directive came just days after Lee reaffirmed his commitment to restoring relations and trust with North Korea. That commitment, made public during his Liberation Day address on August 15, included a specific nod to the 2018 military agreement designed to ease tensions along the heavily fortified border. The agreement, signed on September 19, 2018, had aimed to suspend certain military activities and foster a sense of calm between the two Koreas—a fragile peace that has often been tested by mutual suspicion and provocative rhetoric.
Lee’s tone, however, was markedly conciliatory. He stressed that South Korea, under his leadership, would respect North Korea’s current regime, a notable departure from previous administrations that sometimes flirted with the idea of unification through absorption. "South Korea will respect the current system of North Korea and will not seek unification by means of annexation," Lee clarified, as reported by Yonhap and VNExpress. This assurance was designed to allay Pyongyang’s perennial fears of regime change and to open the door, even if just a crack, to dialogue and cooperation.
President Lee also highlighted the importance of gradually restoring the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, emphasizing that small, sincere steps could accumulate into something much larger. "If small, practical steps are accumulated like pebbles, mutual trust will be restored, the road to peace will be widened, and the foundation for joint development between the two Koreas will be built," he said. It’s a vision that relies on patience and persistence, not grand gestures.
But if Lee is reaching out an olive branch, North Korea’s response has been, at best, frosty. Since Lee’s inauguration in June, his government has made several overtures aimed at improving relations with Pyongyang. Yet, as Reuters and VNExpress reported, North Korea has thus far rejected Seoul’s proposals, remaining deeply skeptical of the South’s intentions.
That skepticism was laid bare on July 28, when Kim Yo-jong, North Korea’s top official in charge of foreign policy, issued a pointed rebuke. "If South Korea, the side that ignited an atmosphere of extreme confrontation after declaring North Korea as the main enemy, expects that all consequences can be reversed with a few emotional statements, it is nothing but a serious miscalculation," Kim said. Her words, carried by both Reuters and Yonhap, underscored just how deep the mistrust runs between the two neighbors.
Lee’s approach, then, is not without its critics—both at home and across the border. Some in South Korea worry that his willingness to "respect" the North’s system could be interpreted as weakness, or as a tacit acceptance of Pyongyang’s human rights abuses and nuclear ambitions. Others, particularly in the diplomatic community, see it as a necessary recalibration after years of gridlock and escalating threats.
For Lee, the stakes could hardly be higher. As he told his Cabinet, "Inter-Korean relations are of vital importance in protecting national interests and expanding diplomatic space amid rapidly changing external environments." In a region where alliances are shifting and great-power competition is intensifying, Seoul’s ability to manage its northern neighbor could determine not just its own fate, but the stability of the entire peninsula.
The focus on restoring the 2018 military agreement is particularly significant. That deal, reached during a rare thaw in relations, sought to demilitarize parts of the border and prevent accidental clashes—an ever-present risk in one of the world’s most heavily armed flashpoints. While implementation has been spotty, the agreement remains a symbol of what’s possible when both sides choose dialogue over confrontation.
Yet, as Lee acknowledged, progress will not come overnight. "What we need now is the courage to take small, practical steps," he said, echoing a sentiment that has often been voiced but rarely realized. The challenge, as always, is to turn words into actions—and to do so in a way that builds trust rather than deepening suspicion.
Observers point out that Lee’s call for phased implementation of existing agreements is a pragmatic one. Rather than pushing for sweeping changes that are likely to be rebuffed, his administration is focusing on areas where cooperation is possible—such as humanitarian exchanges, joint economic projects, or environmental initiatives. By building momentum in these "low-hanging fruit" areas, Lee hopes to create a virtuous cycle that could eventually lead to more ambitious breakthroughs.
But even these modest goals face headwinds. North Korea’s leadership, wary of what it sees as South Korean and U.S. hostility, has little incentive to engage unless it perceives tangible benefits or security guarantees. The memory of past summits that fizzled out—despite much fanfare—still looms large in Pyongyang’s calculations.
For now, Lee’s administration is walking a tightrope, balancing the need to maintain a strong deterrent against the North’s military capabilities with the desire to reduce tensions and open new channels of communication. "We must maintain a steel-like defense posture while gradually reducing tensions," Lee said, encapsulating the delicate balancing act that defines inter-Korean relations.
As the world watches, the question remains: Can South Korea’s new approach break the cycle of hostility and mistrust that has defined the peninsula for decades? Or will it simply add another chapter to a long history of dashed hopes and missed opportunities?
For President Lee, the answer may lie in the small steps—the pebbles, as he calls them—that, over time, could pave the way for something bigger. Whether North Korea is willing to walk that path with him is a story still unfolding.
