South Korea urges China to mediate North Korean nuclear program halt

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung Proposes Nuclear Freeze in Exchange for Compensation

During a four-day state visit to China, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to discuss improving relations between the two countries and restarting talks on North Korea’s nuclear program. On Wednesday, Lee proposed a halt to Pyongyang’s nuclear activities in exchange for “compensation or some form of return”.

According to Lee, halting current nuclear production would be a significant gain, followed by gradual reduction in the medium term, with the ultimate goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. The proposal was made during meetings with top Chinese officials, including Xi Jinping.

Lee’s visit aimed to reset relations between South Korea and China, which had been strained due to a dispute over the deployment of a US missile defense system in 2017. Lee stated that much progress had been made in restoring trust and expressed his desire for China to play a mediating role on issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

Xi Jinping urged Seoul to show patience in its dealings with Pyongyang, citing the complex history between the two Koreas. Lee acknowledged this, stating that South Korea’s past military actions may have been perceived as threatening by North Korea.

The proposal comes amid tensions between North Korea and the international community, following recent test flights of hypersonic missiles by Pyongyang. The leader Kim Jong Un emphasized the importance of expanding the nuclear deterrent in light of the “recent geopolitical crisis”.

Source: Al Jazeera