SEOUL: South Korea’s new liberal president, Lee Jae Myung, said Friday he will seek to restore a 2018 military agreement with North Korea aimed at reducing border tensions and urged Pyongyang to respond to Seoul’s efforts to rebuild trust and revive dialogue. Speaking on the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee’s overture came amid soaring tensions fueled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s nuclear ambitions and deepening ties with Russia over the war in Ukraine.

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he will seek to restore a 2018 military pact with Pyongyang designed to reduce border tensions.

South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung said he will restore a military agreement to rebuild trust with North Korea.