South Korea's Lee urges North Korea to restore dialogue, pledges military buildup
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has called for renewed dialogue with North Korea while simultaneously announcing a major military modernization plan. The announcement follows a landmine incident in the DMZ that heightened tensions between the two nations.
Why it matters
The dual approach of seeking diplomacy while strengthening military capabilities reflects the volatile security situation on the Korean Peninsula.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday (October 1, 2026) called on North Korea to help restore trust and resume dialogue, a day after Seoul and Pyongyang traded barbs over a landmine incident that South Korea’s military and the UN Command said amounted to an armistice violation.
“I hope that the North joins us now on the path of restoring trust and resuming dialogue, following a long interruption,” Mr. Lee said in an address marking the country’s Armed Forces Day, adding that his administration would “consistently pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions between the two Koreas.”
The comments came after Seoul’s military and the UN Command said North Korea violated the Korean War armistice following a landmine blast last week that wounded three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).
Also covering this story
5 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
North Korea denies South's claim it was behind DMZ mine blasts
South Korea-Ukrainian row over two captured North Korean soldiers: What happens next?
North Korea denies planting mines that injured 3 South Korean soldiers, accuses Seoul of conspiracy - AP News
S Korea demands apology from Pyongyang over landmine blast
South Korea calls for apology from North Korea after mine injures three soldiers
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in