"In a clear departure from his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has adopted a softer stance on North Korea during his first seven months in office, offering carrots rather than sticks to the regime in Pyongyang. The change became obvious in recent weeks as Seoul pushed multiple initiatives to reopen communication channels and build trust with North Korea."
"The conflict over the North's nuclear arsenal is still the main stumbling block between the countries. Ex-President Yoon was adamant that denuclearization of the North was a pre-condition to any talks on the future of bilateral ties. Pyongyang would not agree to that stipulation. Lee, however, pushed denuclearization down the list of priorities and now sees it as an "eventual goal, Choo said. "Lee wants to prioritize immediate stability and peaceful coexistence and believes that any step to achieving that is reasonable and justifiable, Choo said."
Lee Jae Myung has shifted South Korea's approach to North Korea toward softer engagement, emphasizing carrots and dialogue over coercion. Seoul has pursued initiatives to reopen communication channels and build trust with Pyongyang. Lee deprioritized immediate denuclearization, framing it as an eventual goal while focusing on stability and peaceful coexistence. The North Korea policy office was reinstated to open military dialogue and prepare confidence-building negotiations. The Unification Ministry is considering lifting some sanctions from 2010, and cultural exchanges such as Taekwondo are being weighed as bridges to reduce tensions. The Korean Peninsula remains divided with strained bilateral ties since 2017.
Read at www.dw.com
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