South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed talks with North Korea aimed at formally ending the Korean War, which stopped in fighting under a 1953 armistice but was never concluded by a peace treaty. He said dialogue could support peaceful coexistence, reduce risks around the Demilitarised Zone and create space to address Pyongyang’s nuclear programme, though North Korea has not responded.

Lee’s proposal follows years of strained relations and continued North Korean weapons testing, including an alleged 11th ballistic-missile test this year on Tuesday. North Korea declared itself a nuclear power in 2022 and is estimated to possess dozens of warheads; Lee has suggested freezing further production as a realistic interim goal while Seoul continues to seek full denuclearisation.