South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed that the United States seek to freeze North Korea’s nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, rather than insisting on the demand for its denuclearisation, in a proposal aimed at opening a negotiating path with Pyongyang after previous diplomatic efforts stalled.
“I believe there is great importance in trading sanctions that are not particularly effective in any case for halting the development of more nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile technology
The South Korean president said that “seeking denuclearisation under current circumstances will prevent any agreement from being reached”, indicating the need to adopt an interim goal focused on stopping North Korea from expanding its capabilities rather than requiring it to dismantle its entire arsenal before progress can be made in negotiations. Lee had previously said that freezing Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities at their current levels would in itself represent a “gain”.
Lee’s negotiating approach towards Pyongyang
The proposal is part of an approach he has pursued since taking office in June 2025, differing from the hard-line policy adopted by his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, towards North Korea. The South Korean president offered to hold talks with Pyongyang without preconditions, but the North Korean leadership did not respond to any of his offers.
Critics, however, argue that this approach could entail implicit acceptance of North Korea as a nuclear-armed state, while also allowing sanctions relief without guaranteeing that it will ultimately give up its arsenal.
Fears of entrenching a permanent nuclear status
The United Nations has imposed sanctions on North Korea for years, but Pyongyang has entrenched its status as a nuclear-armed state, while its leadership maintains that its nuclear arsenal is permanent and irreversible. At the same time, North Korea has strengthened its cooperation with Moscow, in addition to continuing to receive support from its traditional ally Beijing.
This rapprochement with Russia, together with Chinese support, has reduced the potential gains Pyongyang might obtain from entering diplomatic negotiations with US President Donald Trump, while Seoul seeks to explore opportunities for resuming dialogue between Washington and North Korea. Trump previously met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times during his first presidential term.
Previous summits stall, raising prospect of renewed dialogue
The diplomatic process ultimately stalled, however, after their summit in Hanoi in 2019 failed to reach an agreement on sanctions relief and the steps Pyongyang could take in return regarding denuclearisation. Seoul in September 2026 assessed the possibility of a new summit between Trump and Kim as likely, amid signs of dialogue between the two sides.
Trump had proposed meeting the North Korean leader again, but Pyongyang remained silent on the proposal.
