Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Lee urges US sanctions relief for North Korean nuclear freeze
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung wants the United States to ease some sanctions on North Korea.
In return, he wants North Korea to stop expanding its nuclear weapons and missile programs.
Lee said trying to remove all of North Korea’s nuclear weapons immediately is unlikely to work right now.
He believes freezing the programs could help the countries build trust.
Later, they could use incentives and agreements to encourage North Korea to reduce its arsenal.
Lee said North Korea may be making 10 to 20 new nuclear weapons each year.
He warned that North Korea could sell nuclear weapons or missiles if it felt secure enough.
Relations between North and South Korea remain tense, while Lee supports new talks involving North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and United States President Donald Trump.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged the United States to ease sanctions on North Korea in exchange for freezing its nuclear programs.
Lee said pursuing denuclearization under current conditions would accomplish little and advocated a “peace first” approach.
He cited South Korean assessments that North Korea may be producing 10 to 20 additional nuclear weapons annually.
Lee warned that North Korea might export nuclear weapons or missiles once it believed its survival was guaranteed.
Lee plans to present his vision of peace and coexistence at the United Nations General Assembly this week.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung urged the United States to negotiate with North Korea over its nuclear programs.
- What
- Lee proposed easing sanctions in exchange for a freeze on North Korea’s nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile development.
- When
- The proposal was reported on September 22, and Lee planned to discuss his vision at the United Nations General Assembly that week.
- Where
- The proposal concerns the Korean Peninsula and negotiations among South Korea, North Korea, and the United States.
- Why
- Lee said the current stalemate was too risky and that sanctions were not particularly effective, while North Korea may be expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Peace-first nuclear freeze
Denuclearization-first approach
How to address North Korea’s nuclear program
Peace-first nuclear freeze
Lee argues that sanctions relief in exchange for freezing further nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile development could stop additional growth and create trust for later reductions.
Denuclearization-first approach
The existing denuclearization-first approach seeks to prioritize the removal of North Korea’s nuclear weapons rather than first accepting a freeze.
Effectiveness of sanctions
Peace-first nuclear freeze
Lee said sanctions are not particularly effective and should be traded for a verifiable halt to further development.
Denuclearization-first approach
Maintaining the current pressure-based approach avoids offering sanctions relief before North Korea makes broader nuclear concessions; the article does not identify a specific United States response to Lee’s proposal.
- Proposal
- Ease sanctions on North Korea in exchange for freezing nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missile development.
- Estimated production
- South Korean assessments cited by Lee indicate North Korea may be producing 10 to 20 additional nuclear weapons annually.
- Policy shift
- South Korean officials are moving from a “denuclearization first” policy toward a “peace first” approach.
- Lee’s rationale
- He said pursuing denuclearization under current circumstances would accomplish little and that the stalemate was too risky.
- Potential danger
- Lee warned North Korea could export nuclear weapons or missiles after accumulating enough capability to feel secure.
- Diplomatic talks
- United States President Donald Trump is seeking a new meeting with Kim Jong Un, and Lee supports the talks.
- International forum
- Lee planned to present his peace and coexistence vision at the United Nations General Assembly.