SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean President Lee Jae Myung plans to push for a practical, step-by-step denuclearization strategy regarding North Korea during his address at the United Nations General Assembly, confirming that both Seoul and Washington remain receptive to restarting diplomatic talks with Pyongyang.
In a written interview prior to his departure for New York, Lee explained that incremental progress offers the most viable path forward given the ongoing advancement of North Korea’s nuclear weapon capabilities.
“To change the direction of a moving vehicle, it must be brought to a halt first,” Lee stated. “A phased approach of stop, reduction and dismantlement is a practical way of effectively resolving the North Korean nuclear issue.”
The South Korean leader’s remarks come amid continued missile testing by Pyongyang, despite steps taken by U.S. President Donald Trump to scale back joint military exercises with South Korea as a goodwill gesture toward North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
North Korea has consistently condemned such joint maneuvers as rehearsal for an invasion.
The rapid evolution of Pyongyang’s military capacity has intensified debate on whether complete denuclearization can be accomplished in a single, comprehensive agreement. Proponents of a phased roadmap suggest offering North Korea step-by-step economic and political relief in exchange for verifiable reductions in its nuclear arsenal.
Estimates regarding Pyongyang’s capabilities vary, with U.S. President Trump previously stating North Korea holds 57 nuclear weapons, while independent security experts estimate the stockpile exceeds 100 warheads.
Lee warned that postponing interim measures until a full dismantlement agreement is reached would be counterproductive.
“Given the extent to which North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities have advanced, it is not a realistic solution to wait until complete denuclearization can be achieved all at once,” Lee said. “This is because, in the interim, North Korea’s nuclear capabilities will continue to advance, escalating the threat.”
At the UN summit, Lee intends to champion “a phased and pragmatic solution to the North Korean nuclear issue” to help foster stability across the Korean Peninsula.
He highlighted his previous proposal for multi-party negotiations to formally end the 1950-53 Korean War, noting that such dialogue could serve as a venue to negotiate limits on Pyongyang’s arms development.
Addressing concerns that North Korea might accept concessions—such as relief from economic sanctions—before halting its nuclear program entirely, Lee called for a balanced framework designed to deliver tangible security and economic benefits to South Korea, the United States, and North Korea alike.
He stressed the necessity of convincing Pyongyang that “moving toward stable and lasting peace is a realistic and feasible path to a secure and prosperous future.”