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President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a New Year’s press conference held on Jan. 21, 2026, at the Blue House state guest house. (Yonhap)

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need to “face the undeniable reality” of North Korea’s nuclear weapons program while not giving up on the “ideal scenario” in which Pyongyang relinquishes its nukes. Little progress has been made on the issue in recent years due to the severing of communication between the two Koreas. 

Instead of touting an immediate, all-out push to rid North Korea of its nuclear weapons, Lee has once again emphasized a step-by-step, gradual solution that befits North Korea’s sophisticated nuclear capabilities.
 
The president made the comments during a New Year’s press conference at the Blue House’s state reception hall on Wednesday

“Do you believe that North Korea will readily give up its nuclear capabilities?” Lee asked the reporters gathered at the press conference. “If we are to be realistic, North Korea’s nuclear arsenal will continue to grow. It would benefit everyone if it ceased to produce nuclear material and stopped advancing technology [related to nuclear weapons]. A halt on any developments that are currently taking place would also be good.”
 
Calling this the “pragmatic” approach, Lee said, “We are attempting to steer our efforts in a direction that will benefit everyone by finding a solution that does not involve eradicating our opponent, but acknowledges them, while also making sense to both parties.”
 
While Lee admitted that inter-Korea dialogue is currently at an impasse, he focused on the need to pursue a three-stage denuclearization plan, which involves freezing, reducing, and dismantling North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, even if it takes time. 
 
“The strategy for inter-Korean relations is simple, but clear. We will secure sturdy defense and deterrence capabilities, then use that as a base to conduct dialogue, to consult with one another, and to treat one another with respect. Halting current developments will benefit everyone. We ought to negotiate toward the most realistic step of freezing North Korea’s program, then strive to reduce it, before playing the long game for denuclearization,” said Lee.
 
The South Korean leader also referenced the possibility of dialogue between the US and North Korea. 

“US President Donald Trump’s style seems to be effective when engaging with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un,” Lee noted. “North Korea wants to be acknowledged as a nuclear weapons state. It seems to believe, rightly so, that the key to making that wish come true lies in North Korea-US relations.”
 
Mentioning the recent incident in which a South Korean civilian flew a drone into North Korea, Lee expressed sympathy with the distrust the North harbors toward the South. 

“From North Korea’s perspective, of course it’s not going to trust the words that come out of our mouths when we talk about dialogue, peace and stability. Who can blame it? We need to put ourselves in their shoes, and vice versa. Only then can we start to discuss and recalibrate,” said Lee.

By Jang Ye-ji, staff reporter

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