South Korea's president has said he would agree to a deal between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un in which North Korea agreed to freeze production of its nuclear weapons, rather than get rid of them.
Lee Jae Myung told the BBC North Korea was producing an additional 15-20 nuclear weapons a year and that a freeze - as 'an interim emergency measure' - would be 'a feasible, realistic alternative' to denuclearization for now.
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and vowed to never relinquish its weapons. So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearization, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development, Lee Jae Myung said. The question is whether we persist with fruitless attempts towards the ultimate goal [of denuclearization] or we set more realistic goals and achieve some of them, Lee added.
President Lee, who entered office in June, seeks to establish peaceful relations with North Korea and reduce tensions that flared under his predecessor. He has been vocal about wanting President Trump to resume nuclear talks, which broke down in 2019.
In a speech to parliament, the North Korean leader suggested he could negotiate with Trump but only if the US dropped its denuclearization demands.
Lee aims to create a stable environment, and understand that Trump might be his most viable path toward peace. The increasing ties among China, Russia, and North Korea present challenges. Lee acknowledges the complexities of the international landscape and the necessity to remain pragmatic while engaging in diplomacy.
Lee Jae Myung told the BBC North Korea was producing an additional 15-20 nuclear weapons a year and that a freeze - as 'an interim emergency measure' - would be 'a feasible, realistic alternative' to denuclearization for now.
North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and vowed to never relinquish its weapons. So long as we do not give up on the long-term goal of denuclearization, I believe there are clear benefits to having North Korea stop its nuclear and missile development, Lee Jae Myung said. The question is whether we persist with fruitless attempts towards the ultimate goal [of denuclearization] or we set more realistic goals and achieve some of them, Lee added.
President Lee, who entered office in June, seeks to establish peaceful relations with North Korea and reduce tensions that flared under his predecessor. He has been vocal about wanting President Trump to resume nuclear talks, which broke down in 2019.
In a speech to parliament, the North Korean leader suggested he could negotiate with Trump but only if the US dropped its denuclearization demands.
Lee aims to create a stable environment, and understand that Trump might be his most viable path toward peace. The increasing ties among China, Russia, and North Korea present challenges. Lee acknowledges the complexities of the international landscape and the necessity to remain pragmatic while engaging in diplomacy.
