# South Korean diplomatic initiatives toward North Korea > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-diplomatic-initiatives-toward-north-korea > Updated: 2026-09-22T04:20:19.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 2. South Korean officials have initiated several diplomatic and legislative efforts aimed at easing tensions and fostering dialogue with North Korea. In mid-September, the Ministry of Unification expressed support for amending the Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation Act. The proposed change would remove the government's authority to reject reports of citizens attempting to contact North Koreans, potentially allowing unrestricted civilian contact for the first time in 36 years. While the Ministry supports this, the National Intelligence Service and the Ministry of Justice have raised concerns regarding national security and espionage risks. Additionally, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young proposed a four-point peace regime blueprint involving a peace treaty, diplomatic recognition between North Korea and the U.S. and Japan, arms control, and expanded cooperation. By late September, President Lee Jae Myung expanded this diplomatic approach at the United Nations General Assembly. During meetings in New York, Lee met with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss restarting dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea. Both leaders expressed a commitment to maintaining close communication to foster lasting peace. Lee advocated for a pragmatic, phased strategy toward denuclearization, suggesting that the United States consider easing sanctions in exchange for North Korea freezing its nuclear and ballistic missile development. He argued that pursuing immediate, complete denuclearization is unrealistic under current conditions, proposing a three-stage process: stopping expansion, achieving medium-term reduction, and pursuing long-term dismantling. This comes as South Korean assessments indicate North Korea may be capable of producing an additional 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually. Lee warned that if North Korea feels its survival is guaranteed, it may attempt to export its technology for profit. Lee expressed hope that South Korea could act as a ‘pacemaker’ to facilitate communication and work toward a permanent peace system. ## Claims - Lee proposed a phased approach to North Korea's nuclear issue: stopping expansion, medium-term reduction, and long-term denuclearization. (corroborated by 9 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. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Lee Jae-myung stated that pursuing immediate denuclearization under current conditions is unrealistic and unlikely to succeed. (corroborated by 7 sources) - Lee expressed hope for the rapid resumption of US-North Korea dialogue, citing potential opportunities created by President Trump. (corroborated by 4 sources) - South Korean assessments suggest North Korea may be capable of producing an additional 10 to 20 nuclear weapons annually. (corroborated by 3 sources) - President Lee Jae-myung stated that ending the war on the Korean Peninsula and establishing a peace system is the core task. (corroborated by 3 sources) - South Korea intends to act as a pacemaker to facilitate and sustain dialogue between the US and North Korea. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Donald Trump expressed a willingness to resume dialogue with North Korea during a meeting with Lee Jae-myung. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-22: South Korea proposes phased nuclear freeze for North Korea South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposes a phased approach to North Korean denuclearization, suggesting sanctions relief in exchange for a freeze on nuclear and missile programs. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-urges-us-to-ease-north-korean-sanctions-for-nuclear-freeze ### 2026-09-17: South Korean Ministry of Unification supports easing North Korean contact laws South Korea's Ministry of Unification supports amending laws to allow unrestricted civilian contact with North Koreans, while Minister Chung Dong-young proposes a four-point roadmap for a peninsula peace regime 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-ministry-of-unification-supports-easing-north-korean-contact-laws --- Cite as: South Korean diplomatic initiatives toward North Korea. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-diplomatic-initiatives-toward-north-korea