President Lee: 'The Best Strategy Is to Avoid Conflict... Will Open the Path for DPRK-USA Dialogue' [Gyeongju APEC]

Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province (Gyeongsangbuk-do) — President Lee Jae-myung stated at the closing press conference of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting on the 1st that, regarding peace on the Korean Peninsula, 'Winning through conflict is the least desirable option, and if winning without fighting is a better approach, then creating a situation where conflict is unnecessary is the best strategy.'
At a press conference held at the APEC International Media Center in Gyeongju, President Lee emphasized, 'Peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula are essential for Northeast Asia and global peace. Therefore, not only strong deterrence but also a willingness for dialogue, compromise, and coexistence is necessary.'
President Lee remarked, 'Just as former President Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy showed, you cannot make someone take off their coat with a strong wind. Only by creating a warm spring day will they remove it themselves.'
Addressing the reality that the DPRK continues to harbor distrust and hostility toward the Republic of Korea, President Lee noted, 'Such perceptions do not change overnight.' He added, 'We will continue to take proactive peace measures so that the DPRK can feel more at ease and begin to trust the South.'
President Lee particularly pointed out, 'The Korean Peninsula remains in a state of armistice, and the parties to the Korean Armistice Agreement were not the Republic of Korea but the United States of America (USA).' He continued, 'It is a realistic perception that the DPRK seeks direct negotiations with the USA to guarantee regime security.' He further emphasized, 'There are limits to inter-Korean dialogue alone. The door to improved inter-Korean relations will open only if the USA improves its relationship with the DPRK. The Republic of Korea will act as a 'pacemaker' to open the path for direct dialogue between the USA and the DPRK.'
President Lee concluded, 'Peace is not a victory achieved by force, but the result of coexistence built on trust and persuasion.'
west@fnnews.com Seong Seok-woo Reporter