In his inaugural March 1 Independence Movement Day address, President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing dialogue with North Korea.
This comes despite North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s recent declaration at the 9th Party Congress—which sets the nation’s policy direction for the next five years—labeling South Korea as an eternal enemy. Analysts interpret Lee’s speech as emphasizing the South Korean government’s unwavering North Korea policy.
Speaking at the 107th March 1 ceremony in Seoul’s Covention & Exhibition (COEX), President Lee called for realizing the dream of peace and coexistence envisioned by Korea’s independence activists. He stated that creating a peaceful Korean Peninsula founded on coexistence and cooperation, rather than hostility, and on trust instead of suspicion, is the true way to honor the spirit of the March 1 Movement.
Lee emphasize that just as they’ve taken proactive steps to ease military tensions and rebuild mutual trust between North and South through concrete actions, it will consistently pursue necessary measures to achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and restore inter-Korean trust.
Seemingly addressing North Korea’s recent Party Congress, he expressed hope for swift engagement in dialogue, saying that as the North is also implementing a new five-year plan, he hopes they will soon come to the negotiating table to move beyond the dark past and envision a new future together.
President Lee remarked that it must not ignore the clear historical lesson that hostility and confrontation benefit neither side, implicitly urging North Korea to reconsider its hostile two-state policy stance.
Reaffirms Three Principles: Respect for the System, No Absorption Unification, No Hostile Acts
Analysts view Lee’s speech as underscoring the government’s commitment to consistently pursue policies aimed at reducing tensions and ensuring stability in inter-Korean relations, while remaining mindful of North Korea’s hostile stance.
The analysis suggests that rather than expecting quick results, the administration intends to elicit a response from North Korea through consistent policy. Lee also addressed topics that North Korea has previously found uncomfortable, further signaling this approach.
He stressed that it respects North Korea’s regime and will neither engage in hostile actions nor pursue forced unification. Lee also highlighted last year’s unexpected drone incursion as a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula, reiterating his commitment to rebuilding trust between North and South Korea.
Regarding the drone incident, he stated that any actions provoking tension and conflict on the Korean Peninsula cannot be justified, adding that it will thoroughly investigate to prevent such incidents and establish robust safeguards.
Previously, in his Liberation Day speech last year, Lee had pledged to respect North Korea’s regime, reject forced unification, and restore the September 19 Military Agreement in a phased manner.
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, commented that Lee’s speech demonstrates a resolve to steadily advance peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula without being swayed by North Korea’s reactions, reaffirming the principles of respecting North Korea’s regime, rejecting forced unification, and avoiding hostile actions.
Professor Yang predicted that North Korea would likely come to understand the Lee administration’s peace coexistence policy, albeit gradually.
Lee Sang-keun, a senior researcher at the National Security Strategy Institute, noted that although North Korea claims it will do nothing with them, the absence of hostile interactions provides a foundation for long-term trust-building. Maintaining a stance of reconciliation and cooperation is crucial for managing the situation.
Long Road to Direct North Korean Engagement… Calls Grow for Using Back Channels
Analysts anticipate significant challenges before North Korea responds directly, particularly given Kim’s firm stance on excluding South Korea.
At the recent Party Congress, Kim declared that its resolve to treat South Korea as a thorough enemy is unwavering and final. This reinforces the hostile two-state policy first announced in late 2023, with indications of further intensification.
Kim dismissed South Korea’s conciliatory approach as clumsy deception, warning that measures to exclude South Korea would be made clearer and more actionable to protect North Korea’s sacred dignity and interests.
In contrast, Kim suggested potential for improved relations with the U.S., stating that if Washington respects North Korea’s constitutional status and abandons its hostile policy, there’s no reason it can’t get along with the U.S. This aligns with last year’s Supreme People’s Assembly statement, urging U.S. recognition of North Korea’s nuclear status and leaving the door open for U.S.-North Korea dialogue.
President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit China for three days starting March 31. Diplomatic observers speculate that a North Korea-U.S. summit could follow the U.S.-China talks.
Given these developments, experts suggest exploring alternative diplomatic channels through third countries, despite Lee’s reaffirmed policy continuity. Professor Yang noted that while direct engagement is crucial, considering Kim’s pride, indirect contact through countries like China, Russia, Vietnam, the U.S., and Cuba is also necessary.