South Korean President Warns of "Very Dangerous" Standoff with North Korea; Urges Dialogue Amid Rising Tensions & Border Incidents

South Korean President Warns of "Very Dangerous" Standoff with North Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has issued a stark warning regarding the increasingly volatile relationship with North Korea, describing the current situation as "very dangerous." Speaking to reporters on a flight returning from a G20 summit in South Africa, President Lee emphasized the constant risk of an accidental clash and underscored the critical need for Seoul to initiate dialogue with Pyongyang.

Escalating Hostility and Border Measures

According to Yonhap News, Lee highlighted North Korea's escalating hostile behavior, which includes its refusal to answer South Korea's calls for contact. Furthermore, Pyongyang has been observed erecting barbed wire fences along the highly militarized border—a measure not seen since the Korean War concluded in 1953. Lee stated, "Inter-Korean ties have become very hostile and confrontational, and in the absence of even the basic level of trust, the North is showing some very extreme behaviour."

Unresponsive to Dialogue Amidst Border Incidents

The tense climate is further exacerbated by recent military maneuvers. South Korea had previously proposed military talks on November 17 to establish a clear boundary along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL), aiming to prevent armed confrontations that could ignite a broader conflict. However, North Korea has remained unresponsive to this proposal.

This year alone has witnessed more than ten border intrusions by North Korean soldiers, some of which prompted South Korean troops to fire warning shots in accordance with established protocols. President Lee acknowledged that achieving peace with North Korea would be a protracted endeavor.

Future of Joint Military Drills

He also suggested that once a stable peace regime is firmly in place, it would be beneficial for South Korea and the United States to reconsider their joint military exercises. These drills, which involve approximately 28,500 U.S. troops and advanced weapon systems stationed in South Korea, have consistently been condemned by Pyongyang as rehearsals for a nuclear war.