Archive · 1 Oct 2026
South Korea Seeks North Korea Dialogue While Expanding Defenses
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked North Korea to start talking again.
He said both countries should rebuild trust and lower military tensions.
The request came after a landmine explosion injured three South Korean soldiers in the Demilitarized Zone.
South Korea and the United Nations Command said North Korea was responsible and had broken the armistice agreement.
Kim Yo Jong, a senior North Korean official, denied those conclusions.
She said South Korea had made up the findings and warned that North Korea could respond.
Lee also said South Korea would strengthen its military.
His plans include new submarines, better missile defenses and more artificial intelligence for military systems.
President Lee Jae Myung urged North Korea to restore trust and resume dialogue.
South Korea and the United Nations Command said North Korea violated the Korean War armistice in a landmine blast that wounded three South Korean soldiers.
Kim Yo Jong rejected the findings, accused Seoul of fabricating them and warned of retaliation.
Lee pledged to pursue wartime operational-control transfer from the United States to South Korea.
South Korea plans nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s, stronger missile defenses and expanded artificial-intelligence capabilities.
- Who
- South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, North Korean official Kim Yo Jong, South Korea and North Korea.
- What
- Lee urged North Korea to restore dialogue while announcing military modernization plans after a disputed landmine blast.
- When
- Lee made the comments on Thursday, October 1, after the landmine incident the previous week.
- Where
- The address was delivered in Gyeryong, South Korea; the landmine blast occurred in the Demilitarized Zone.
- Why
- Lee said dialogue could rebuild trust and reduce military tensions, while the defense buildup would support self-reliant national defense.
South Korea and United Nations Command
North Korea
Landmine incident
South Korea and United Nations Command
South Korea’s military and the United Nations Command said North Korea violated the armistice in connection with the blast.
North Korea
Kim Yo Jong rejected the findings and said South Korea fabricated the conclusions.
Dialogue and tensions
South Korea and United Nations Command
Lee called on North Korea to restore trust, resume dialogue and pursue practical steps to reduce military tensions.
North Korea
North Korea has largely rejected South Korea’s overtures and warned of retaliation.
Military policy
South Korea and United Nations Command
Lee said South Korea would strengthen self-reliant defense through submarines, missile defenses, artificial intelligence and other military reforms.
North Korea
The article reports North Korea is continuing border fortification work along the Demilitarized Zone.
- Casualties
- Three South Korean soldiers were wounded in the landmine blast.
- Disputed finding
- South Korea’s military and the United Nations Command said North Korea violated the Korean War armistice.
- North Korean response
- Kim Yo Jong rejected the findings, accused Seoul of fabrication and warned of retaliation.
- Submarine plan
- South Korea plans to build nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s.
- Defense technology
- Planned upgrades include artificial-intelligence command-and-control systems and high-energy laser interceptors.
- Operational control
- Lee reaffirmed his goal of transferring wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea.
- Border situation
- North Korea has largely rejected Seoul’s dialogue overtures while continuing border fortification work along the Demilitarized Zone.