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South Korea urges US to freeze North Korean nuclear program
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called on the United States to consider easing sanctions against North Korea in exchange for a freeze on Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
In interviews, Lee argued that pursuing immediate, total denuclearization under current circumstances is unrealistic and unlikely to yield results. Instead, he proposed a phased, pragmatic approach involving the cessation of new weapons development and intercontinental ballistic missile technology, followed by gradual reduction and eventual dismantling.
Lee noted that current sanctions have not proven particularly effective and warned of the dangers of the current stalemate. He cited assessments suggesting North Korea may be producing an additional 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually. The President emphasized that a freeze would provide a necessary pause to build trust and eventually persuade North Korea to reduce its arsenal.
Entities
Lee Jae Myung · Lee Jae-myung · North Korea · South Korea · United Nations · United States
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The President advocated for a phased approach involving stopping, reducing, and eventually dismantling North Korea's nuclear capabilities. sapo.pt
- [○ 1 SOURCE] South Korean assessments suggest North Korea may be capable of producing an additional 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually. 168.am
- [● 3 SOURCES] South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed a compromise between sanction relief and the freezing of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. 168.am · www.stiripesurse.ro · sapo.pt
- [● 3 SOURCES] Lee Jae Myung stated that pursuing immediate denuclearization under current conditions is unrealistic and unlikely to succeed. 168.am · www.stiripesurse.ro · sapo.pt