President Lee Jae Myung answers questions from reporters during a New Year&#39;s press conference held at the Blue House State Guest House on Wednesday 2026.1.21 / News1

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea has acknowledged the reality of North Korea's nuclear arsenal while maintaining that a long-term approach to North Korea, which doesn't abandon the ideal of denuclearization, is practical. He argued that with deteriorating inter-Korean relations and North Korea's ongoing nuclear development, it's unreasonable to solely advocate for denuclearization and wait for North Korea to accept it.

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During a New Year's press conference at the Blue House on Wednesday, President Lee stated that North Korea desires recognition as a nuclear-armed state to maintain its regime. The key to resolving this lies in North Korea-U.S. relations, which is indeed the reality.

He pointed out that the previous denuclearization strategy of wait and see and endure while dreaming of ideals ignored reality. What has been the result? The number of nuclear weapons continues to grow, he noted.

President Lee emphasized that North Korea is still producing enough nuclear materials annually to create 10 to 20 nuclear weapons and is continuously improving its Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) technology. He warned that if North Korea secures nuclear weapons necessary for regime maintenance and missile technology threatening the world, including the U.S., it could lead to nuclear weapons crossing borders, posing global risks.

He then stated that's why he thinks it should approach this practically. Let's acknowledge reality but not abandon the ideals.

President Lee's remarks reiterated the government's three-stage denuclearization plan: suspension → reduction → denuclearization. This plan aims to halt North Korea's nuclear weapon development, continuously reduce its arsenal, and ultimately achieve denuclearization.

Notably, President Lee emphasized that acknowledging North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons is a prerequisite for advancing the three-stage denuclearization plan. While it's difficult to recognize North Korea as a nuclear weapon state under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), he suggested accepting the reality of North Korean nuclear weapons.

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President Lee also mentioned the need for nuclear disarmament, stating to not abandon its ideals. First, negotiate a suspension, then nuclear disarmament, and in the long term, move towards denuclearization.

This approach reflects a desire to find common ground for dialogue with North Korea without leading with the highly rejected denuclearization negotiations.

Additionally, President Lee's remarks seem to align with Donald Trump's actions, who has signaled willingness to engage in nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea. Trump's reference to North Korea as a nuclear power, rather than adhering strictly to NPT guidelines, resonates with President Lee's stance.

President Lee revealed that he communicated this vision to both President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He appears to be seeking to encourage a strong gesture from the U.S. toward North Korea during Trump's upcoming visit to China in April, while also hoping for implicit support from China.

Some observers speculate that President Lee articulated this version of the government's North Korean nuclear strategy in his own words as a form of message to North Korea.

Regarding strategies for improving inter-Korean relations, President Lee remarked that right now, it's fortunate if it doesn't end up at war, let alone achieve unification. While it may postpone unification, it will do everything it can to create a situation where peaceful coexistence is possible.

Addressing the recent incident involving a civilian drone infiltrating North Korea, he stated that from North Korea's perspective - they seem to dislike being called North Korea, indicating his intent to avoid provoking North Korea.

At the end of the press conference, he remarked that people often say they're taking a low stance toward North Korea; should it then take a high stance and confront them? He added that a family doesn't just continue to work diligently because it has no temper. By enduring and persuading while adopting a peaceful policy, it can reduce risks, reiterating the importance of peace.

President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea has acknowledged the reality of North Korea's nucle …

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