South Korea's president has said he would accept a deal between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un under which North Korea would agree to freeze production of its nuclear weapons for now, rather than get rid of them.
Lee Jae Myung told the BBC that North Korea is producing an additional 15-20 nuclear weapons a year and a freeze, described as 'an interim emergency measure,' would be 'a feasible, realistic alternative.'
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and vowed to never relinquish its weapons. Previous attempts to negotiate have failed and Pyongyang has since rejected all invitations to return to talks.
So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearization, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development, Lee said.
The South Korean leader, who entered office in June, aims to establish more peaceful relations with North Korea and reduce tensions that were escalated under his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol.
Lee has expressed hope that Trump could resume nuclear talks with Kim, which broke down in 2019. He believes that the leaders 'seem to have a degree of mutual trust,' which could foster global peace and security.
He remarked on the limitations of the United Nations in dealing with North Korea's nuclear ambitions, emphasizing the need for a re-evaluation of diplomatic strategies that acknowledge the current geopolitical landscape.
Lee's administration is mindful of the growing ties among China, Russia, and North Korea, which complicates South Korea's diplomatic position. While working to strengthen its alliance with the U.S. and Japan, Lee seeks a balanced approach to maintain stability in the region.
