South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to pursue practical measures to reduce military tensions with North Korea and called on Pyongyang to restore trust and resume dialogue. His remarks came amid renewed tensions following a landmine incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).Key HighlightsPresident Lee called for renewed dialogue and trust between South and North Korea.Seoul says North Korean mines injured three South Korean soldiers in a September 21 DMZ incident.The U.S.-led UN Command said the incident violated the Korean War armistice.North Korea has denied responsibility for the blast.Lee also announced plans focused on stronger self-reliant defense and military modernization.Lee Calls for Dialogue With North KoreaSpeaking at South Korea’s 78th Armed Forces Day ceremony at Gyeryongdae on October 1, Lee Jae Myung said his administration would continue seeking practical ways to lower military tensions between the two Koreas.Lee Jae Myung urged North Korea to join South Korea in restoring trust and reopening dialogue after a prolonged interruption in communication.He said relations between the two countries remain complicated but emphasized that Seoul would continue working patiently to address the issues one by one.DMZ Landmine Incident Raises Fresh TensionsLee's comments followed a September 21 incident in the DMZ in which three South Korean soldiers were injured by landmine explosions.South Korea's military and the U.S.-led United Nations Command said the mines were North Korean and described the incident as a violation of the 1953 Korean War armistice. Seoul subsequently demanded an apology and responsible measures from Pyongyang.North Korea has rejected the allegation. Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, accused Seoul of fabricating the findings and warned of retaliationi f South Korean forces attack North Korean personnel working on border fortifications.Lee Balances Dialogue With Defense ModernisationWhile calling for reduced military tensions, Lee also stressed the importance of strengthening South Korea's independent defense capabilities.He reaffirmed his commitment to transferring wartime operational control of South Korean forces from the United States to Seoul. Lee described greater self-reliance in national defense as an important part of national sovereignty.South Korea also plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence and manned-unmanned systems as part of efforts to modernize its military and respond to changing security challenges.South Korea Plans Nuclear-Powered SubmarinesLee said South Korea intends to acquire domestically developed nuclear-powered submarines by the mid-2030s.The country also plans to strengthen its missile defense capabilities, including AI-based command-and-control systems and high-energy laser interceptors. These measures form part of a broader military modernization programme.The South Korean government is also pursuing plans for an integrated military academy combining the Army, Navy and Air Force academies. A detailed plan is expected to be presented by the Defense Ministry in October.North Korea Dialogue Remains UncertainLee's government has continued to seek engagement with North Korea, but Pyongyang has largely rejected Seoul's overtures and has continued strengthening its border infrastructure.The latest DMZ dispute has added another challenge to efforts to improve inter-Korean relations. At the same time, Lee's latest Armed Forces Day remarks show that Seoul intends to continue pursuing dialogue while maintaining its defense modernization plans.
