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// DOSSIER — south-korea-advocates-us-north-korea-summit-denuclearization
South Korea Advocates U.S.-North Korea Summit and Step-by-Step Denuclearization Amid Regional Tensions
REL_TIME: 26 Sep 2026 05:12Z · LANG: EN
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung is advocating for a renewed summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, proposing a step-by-step denuclearization process starting with a nuclear freeze in exchange for sanctions relief. Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly and during meetings with Trump, Lee emphasized that Trump's willingness to engage creates a hard-won opportunity to establish lasting peace and end the technical state of war on the Korean Peninsula. Meanwhile, North Korea has continued missile tests and rejected denuclearization demands as absolute, while regional security dynamics remain complex due to North Korea's deepening ties with Russia and ongoing preparations for the Trump-Xi summit.
// Background
The Korean Peninsula has remained technically in a state of war since the 1950-53 conflict ended via an armistice rather than a peace treaty. High-level diplomacy between Washington and Pyongyang stalled following the collapse of the 2019 Hanoi summit. Since taking office in June 2025, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pursued a dovish policy to reopen communication channels, while North Korea has hardened its borders, declared South Korea a hostile state, and strengthened military cooperation with Russia.
// Key Developments
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called for a U.S.-North Korea summit and proposed an initial nuclear and missile freeze in exchange for sanctions relief.
- During a bilateral meeting at the UNGA, Presidents Lee and Trump reviewed strategic investment projects under their $350 billion trade package and discussed defense cooperation, including nuclear submarine fuel and wartime operational control (OPCON).
- North Korea dismissed denuclearization calls as 'idiotic,' maintaining that its status as a nuclear state is absolute, and conducted multiple short-range ballistic missile tests.
- President Lee confirmed that South Korea will not deploy troops to the Strait of Hormuz to intervene in the U.S.-Iran conflict.
- Trilateral discussions involving the U.S., Japan, and South Korea reaffirmed security commitments and regional stability, including stability across the Taiwan Strait, ahead of the Trump-Xi summit.
// Timeline
-
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed South Korean President Lee Jae Myung at the White House.
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President Lee stated that Trump clearly wants dialogue with North Korea and confirmed Seoul will not deploy troops to the Iran war.
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North Korea launched two short-range ballistic missiles off its eastern coast following warnings from Kim Yo Jong.
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Presidents Lee and Trump met for 30 minutes on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discuss strategic investments and regional security.
// Perspectives
[South Korea]
Supports resuming U.S.-North Korea diplomacy through a practical step-by-step approach, beginning with a nuclear/missile freeze and sanctions relief, while deepening economic and defense ties with the U.S.
[United States]
President Trump has expressed a willingness to meet with Kim Jong Un later in the year and has scaled back joint military drills, though the U.S. continues to press for denuclearization and regional security alliances with Seoul and Tokyo.
[North Korea]
Rejects denuclearization calls entirely, asserting its nuclear weapons status as absolute and permanent, and responds to allied military drills with continued ballistic missile tests and heightened rhetoric.
// Quotes
“We will lay the groundwork for this to develop into a dialogue among the parties aimed at ending the war on the Korean Peninsula and transitioning to a peace regime.”
“If they believe that it [denuclearization] is really possible, they will be termed idiots knowing nothing of the world.”
“President Trump also reaffirmed his willingness to engage in dialogue with North Korea.”
