President Lee Jae-myung North Korea Policy 2026: 'Pacemaker' Role and CMA Restoration

Amidst freezing inter-Korean relations, a "pacemaker" has emerged. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has proposed a bold strategy to break the nuclear deadlock by restoring military safeguards and suggesting a potential nuclear freeze.

On January 21, 2026, during a New Year press conference at the Blue House, President Lee reiterated his commitment to defusing tensions. "As a pacemaker, we'll exert all diplomatic efforts to ensure North Korea-U.S. talks happen as early as possible," Lee stated. This follows his August 2025 summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, where he first pitched the idea of Seoul acting as a facilitator for Washington’s "peacemaker" role.

President Lee Jae-myung North Korea Policy 2026: Reviving the September 19 Agreement

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To prevent accidental military clashes, Lee announced plans to restore the September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement (CMA). Originally signed in 2018 by then-President Moon Jae-in and Kim Jong Un, the pact bans hostile acts within 5 kilometers of the DMZ. The previous Yoon Suk-yeol administration had declared it nullified in 2022 after at least 17 reported violations by Pyongyang.

Addressing the Nuclear Buildup Debate and Interim Freezes

Lee also addressed growing calls within South Korea for a self-nuclear buildup. While some experts argue that North Korea's ICBM capability undermines U.S. extended deterrence, Lee dismissed the nuclear option. Instead, he opened the door to accepting a "nuclear freeze" or "arms control agreement" as an interim step toward denuclearization. This pragmatic shift might face resistance from Washington, which traditionally prioritizes the complete dismantling of North Korea's nuclear programs.