President Lee Jae Myung effectively acknowledged North Korea’s nuclear arsenal and called for a change in South Korea’s approach toward its northern neighbor. He reaffirmed a dual strategy for peace on the Korean Peninsula: using the carrot of promoting reconciliation through dialogue and the ‘stick’ of strengthening military capabilities.
Lee stressed that halting North Korea’s nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developments demands dialogue with active U.S. involvement, especially from President Donald Trump. He also underlined the necessity of a significant boost in defense spending to enhance South Korea’s self-defense capacity as a deterrent against war.
During his address at the Korea Investment Summit at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday, Lee stated that he remarks to President Donald Trump during the summit were not mere political rhetoric, but a genuine conviction. Further noting that it appears that North Korea has acquired enough nuclear weapons to secure its regime.
Lee expressed serious concern, noting that North Korea continues to produce nuclear warheads annually and is advancing its nuclear bomb production capabilities. They are on the verge of perfecting ICBM technology. If left unchecked, this could result in an additional 15–20 nuclear bombs every year, along with ongoing ICBM development. The expanding nuclear arsenal also raises fears that these weapons could be exported to other nations.
The President emphasized that even merely halting the production of further nuclear materials, warheads, and ICBMs would offer significant security benefits. Its short-term goal should be to stop nuclear development, exports, and ICBM progress; the medium-term aim to reduce nuclear weapons; and the long-term objective to achieve complete denuclearization.
Lee identified Trump as the pivotal negotiator, stating that President Trump is uniquely positioned with the capability, willingness, and the trust of North Korea to engage in these talks. He added that achieving peace in South Korea, the world’s last divided nation, would mark a historic milestone for global peace. They have assured Trump of its full support and cooperation in this effort.
Previously, on Tuesday, Lee introduced the END Initiative during his address at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, focusing on engagement with North Korea, normalization of relations, and denuclearization.
This initiative builds on the existing three-phase approach of suspension → reduction → elimination of North Korea’s nuclear program, while also expanding to include peaceful solutions. It encapsulates the Lee administration’s comprehensive strategy for both North Korea and the Korean Peninsula.
Addressing concerns that a conciliatory approach might weaken deterrence against North Korean provocations, Lee firmly stated that enhancing self-defense capabilities is essential for maintaining proactive deterrence.
Lee asserted that excluding U.S. forces, South Korea ranks fifth in global military strength, and its military power is formidable. He added that the annual defense budget exceeds North Korea’s total gross domestic product (GDP) by 1.4 times, making any direct comparison irrelevant.
The President concluded that if it possess significant defense industry capabilities and plan to substantially increase defense spending, independently of President Trump’s requests. Ultimately, a nation must be responsible for its own defense.
