President Lee Jae Myung reaffirmed in Nice, France, his commitment to serving as a pacemaker for North Korea-U.S. dialogue. He said renewed talks could help halt Pyongyang’s nuclear buildup and repeated his administration’s peaceful coexistence policy toward the North. Lee also said South Korea is trying to expand its role in the alliance by raising defense spending and strengthening military capabilities.
President Lee Jae Myung, left, and his wife, first lady Kim Hea Kyung, right, are welcomed to Nice, France, after stepping off the presidential plane, Sept. 6. Yonhap
NICE, France — President Lee Jae Myung has reaffirmed his commitment to playing a "pacemaker" role in promoting the resumption of dialogue between North Korea and the United States, saying the move could help halt the advance of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
The president reiterated the commitment during a written interview with French media outlet Le Monde, published Sunday, as Lee arrived in Nice for the first stop of his four-day trip to France, which will include a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
"I will serve as a pacemaker who will help revive North Korea-U.S. dialogue," Le Monde quoted Lee as saying, adding this could serve as a means of halting the buildup of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
