Lee Jae-myung North Korea US Talks 2026: President Vows to Restore 2018 Military Pact
President Lee Jae-myung pledged on Jan 21, 2026, to act as a 'pacemaker' for North Korea-U.S. talks and restore the 2018 military pact to reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
Can a self-proclaimed 'pacemaker' thaw the deepest chill on the Korean Peninsula? President Lee Jae-myung just bet his diplomatic legacy on it.
Lee Jae-myung North Korea US Talks 2026: A New Diplomatic Push
According to Yonhap, President Lee Jae-myung announced on January 21, 2026, that he'll make intensive diplomatic efforts to help North Korea and the United States resume bilateral talks. During his nationally televised New Year press conference, Lee described South Korea's role as a "pacemaker" designed to create conditions for the resumption of inter-Korean dialogue.
"The sharp chill won't thaw all at once," Lee noted, but he emphasized a consistent pursuit of feasible measures to reduce tensions. Central to this strategy is the restoration of the Sept. 19 military agreement signed in 2018. This pact was fully suspended in 2024 following a period of heightened animosity between Seoul and Pyongyang.
Restoring the 2018 Military Pact Amid Regional Tensions
President Lee's commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula remains rooted in the U.S. alliance and pragmatic diplomacy. He argues that restoring the 2018 military agreement is essential to prevent accidental clashes and build political trust. However, the road ahead is rocky. North Korea has recently rebuffed Lee's overtures, especially after accusing the South of flying drones into its territory.
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