Latest news with #September19ComprehensiveMilitaryAgreement
Epoch Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
South Korea to End Some Military Activities on Border With North Korea
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday he will restore the 2018 agreement with North Korea, which will end some military activities along their shared border. During the speech given to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of Japanese colonial rule, Lee said his government will 'proactively and gradually' restore the September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement 'to prevent accidental clashes between the South and the North, and build military trust.'
The Sun
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
South Korea to halt border military activities amid North Korea tensions
SEOUL: South Korea will suspend certain military activities along its border with North Korea, President Lee Jae Myung announced on Friday. The move is part of efforts to improve relations between the two nations, which remain technically at war. Speaking on the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese rule, Lee pledged to reinstate the 2018 September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement. The pact, designed to reduce tensions, had previously halted military exercises near the border before breaking down amid rising hostilities. The Korean War ended in 1953 with an armistice, leaving the peninsula divided. 'Everyone knows that the long drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas,' Lee said during his speech in Seoul. His administration has already taken steps to lower tensions, including stopping anti-North Korea propaganda broadcasts and preventing activists from sending leaflets via balloons. 'We will take proactive, gradual steps to restore the September 19 Military Agreement,' Lee added, without specifying a timeline. Former President Yoon Suk Yeol had suspended the pact in June 2024 after North Korea sent trash-filled balloons across the border. The agreement had included measures like halting live-fire drills, removing guard posts, and maintaining communication hotlines. Lee expressed hope that North Korea would reciprocate the gesture. 'I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue,' he said. Analysts remain sceptical about Pyongyang's response. Cheong Seong-chang of the Sejong Institute predicted North Korea would likely ignore or criticise the move. Yeom Don-jay, a former intelligence official, suggested stronger incentives, such as sanctions relief, might be needed to engage Kim Jong Un. Meanwhile, Lee also addressed South Korea's strained ties with Japan, advocating for a 'forward-looking' approach. Relations have long been affected by historical disputes stemming from Japan's colonial rule over Korea. Lee is set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on August 23, as both nations navigate U.S. trade policies under President Donald Trump. Despite past criticism of Seoul's outreach to Tokyo, Lee has recently emphasised strengthening bilateral ties. The upcoming summit with Trump later this month could influence North Korea's stance, according to observers. - Reuters
RTHK
14 hours ago
- Politics
- RTHK
Seoul woos Pyongyang in bid to ease tensions
Seoul woos Pyongyang in bid to ease tensions In his speech, Lee Jae-myung said "long drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas". Photo: Reuters South Korea will end some military activities along its border with North Korea, President Lee Jae-myung said on Friday, in his government's latest effort to improve ties between the neighbouring countries still technically at war. In a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee said he would restore the so-called September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement. The pact was signed at an inter-Korean summit in 2018 and designed to de-escalate tension along the border. Pyongyang later tore up the agreement and said it would restore all military measures after Seoul suspended parts of the agreement amid a spike in tensions. Lee, who won a snap election in June, has sought to re-engage Pyongyang after a period of cross-border tension and shown a willingness to return to dialogue. "Everyone knows that the long drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas," Lee said during his speech in Seoul. Lee said South Korea had no intention of absorbing North Korea for unification and respected Pyongyang's current system. He cited his government's efforts to lower tensions, including halting the launch of balloons floated by activists with anti-North Korea leaflets and dismantling loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts across the heavily-militarised border. "In particular, to prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korea and to build military trust, we will take proactive, gradual steps to restore the September 19 Military Agreement," Lee said. In June 2024, then South Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol declared a complete suspension of the military pact in response to North Korea's move to send hundreds of rubbish-stuffed balloons across the border. "I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue," Lee said. Earlier this month, South Korea and the United States announced a delay in parts of their annual joint military exercises that have been a source of tension with North Korea. Top North Korean officials have, however, in recent weeks dismissed moves taken by Lee's new liberal government aimed at easing tension between the two Koreas. Lee would keep seeking to peacefully denuclearise North Korea through cooperation with the international community and dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, he said. (Reuters)
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korea President to restore pact halting military activity on North Korea border
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox President Lee Jae Myung said Seoul has no intention of absorbing North Korea for unification and respected Pyongyang's current system. SEOUL – South Korea intends to restore a pact to suspend military activity along its border with North Korea, President Lee Jae Myung said on Aug 15 , as his government seeks to improve ties between the countries still technically at war. In a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, he added that he would restore the so-called September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement. The pact was signed at an inter-Korean summit in 2018 and designed to de-escalate tension along the border. Pyongyang later tore up the agreement and said it would restore all military measures after Seoul suspended parts of the agreement amid a spike in tensions. Mr Lee, who won a snap election in June, has sought to re-engage Pyongyang after a period of cross-border tension and shown a willingness to return to dialogue. 'Everyone knows that the long-drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas,' he said during his speech in Seoul. He added that South Korea had no intention of absorbing North Korea for unification and respected Pyongyang's current system. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Train service on Sengkang-Punggol LRT line resumes partially after power fault Singapore Owners call for stronger management rules in ageing condos, but seek to avoid being overburdened Life How do household bomb shelters in Singapore really work? Asia Johor authorities seize four Singapore-registered vehicles over illegal e-hailing Singapore More families in Singapore using childminding and elder-minding services Asia Beijing-Manila row over collision of Chinese ships chasing Filipino boat a reminder of geopolitical risk He cited his government's efforts to lower tensions, including halting the launch of balloons floated by activists with anti-North Korea leaflets and dismantling loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts across the heavily-militarised border. 'In particular, to prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korea and to build military trust, we will take proactive, gradual steps to restore the September 19 Military Agreement,' Mr Lee said. In June 2024, former president Yoon Suk Yeol declared a complete suspension of the military pact in response to North Korea's move to send hundreds of rubbish-stuffed balloons across the border. Said Mr Lee: 'I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue.' Earlier in August 2025 , South Korea and the US announced a delay in parts of their annual joint military exercises that have been a source of tension with Pyongyang. Top North Korean officials have, however, in recent weeks dismissed moves taken by Mr Lee's new liberal government aimed at easing tension. Mr Lee said he would keep seeking to peacefully denuclearise North Korea through cooperation with the international community and dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington. Turning to South Korea's ties with Japan, he noted that the relationship should be forward-looking, based on pragmatic diplomacy focusing on Seoul's national interest. Ties between the US allies have often been strained, rooted in historical disputes stemming from Japan's colonial rule over the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. Mr Lee will visit Japan on Aug 23 for a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as both countries grapple with the implications of US tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. Mr Lee has in the past been critical of efforts by administrations in Seoul to improve ties with Tokyo, though he pledged to deepen the relationship with Japan at a meeting with Mr Ishiba on the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting in Canada in June. REUTERS
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korea's Lee to restore pact halting military activity on North Korean border
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung delivers a speech during a press conference to mark his first 30 days in office at Yeongbingwan of Blue House on July 3, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. Kim Min-Hee/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo SEOUL - South Korea intends to restore a pact to suspend military activity along its border with North Korea, President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday, as his government seeks to improve ties between the neighbouring countries still technically at war. In a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee said he would restore the so-called September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement. The pact was signed at an inter-Korean summit in 2018 and designed to de-escalate tension along the border between North Korea and South Korea. Pyongyang later tore up the agreement and said it would restore all military measures after Seoul suspended parts of the agreement amid a spike in tensions. President Lee, who won a snap election in June, has sought to re-engage Pyongyang after a period of cross-border tension and shown a willingness to return to dialogue. "Everyone knows that the long drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas," Lee said during his speech in Seoul. Lee said South Korea had no intention of absorbing North Korea for unification and respected Pyongyang's current system. The president cited his government's efforts to lower tensions, including halting the launch of balloons floated by activists with anti-North Korea leaflets and dismantling loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts across the heavily-militarised border. "In particular, to prevent accidental clashes between South and North Korea and to build military trust, we will take proactive, gradual steps to restore the September 19 Military Agreement," Lee said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Power fault on Sengkang-Punggol LRT line brings trains to a halt Singapore Owners call for stronger management rules in ageing condos, but seek to avoid being overburdened Asia Johor authorities seize four Singapore-registered vehicles over illegal e-hailing Singapore More families in Singapore using childminding and elder-minding services Life How do household bomb shelters in Singapore really work? Business US Treasuries a draw as yield gap with S'pore govt bonds widens, but analysts urge caution Asia Beijing-Manila row over collision of Chinese ships chasing Filipino boat a reminder of geopolitical risk Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength In June 2024, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared a complete suspension of the military pact in response to North Korea's move to send hundreds of rubbish-stuffed balloons across the border. "I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue," Lee said. Earlier this month, South Korea and the U.S. announced a delay in parts of their annual joint military exercises that have been a source of tension with North Korea. Top North Korean officials have, however, in recent weeks dismissed moves taken by Lee's new liberal government aimed at easing tension between the two Koreas. Lee would keep seeking to peacefully denuclearise North Korea through cooperation with the international community and dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington, he said. Turning to South Korea's ties with Japan, Lee said the relationship should be "forward-looking", based on pragmatic diplomacy focusing on Seoul's national interest. Ties between the U.S. allies have often been strained, rooted in historical disputes stemming from Japan's colonial rule over the Korean peninsula from 1910-1945. The South Korean president will visit Japan on August 23 for a summit with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, as both countries grapple with the implications of U.S. tariffs imposed by the administration of President Donald Trump. Lee has in the past been critical of efforts by administrations in Seoul to improve ties with Tokyo, though he pledged to deepen the relationship with Japan at a meeting with Ishiba on the sidelines of a G7 meeting in Canada in June. REUTERS
