President Lee Jae Myung urged the United States to ease sanctions on North Korea in exchange for freezing its nuclear weapons program, breaking with decades of established policy. Speaking with The New York Times at the Blue House, Lee argued that sanctions are not particularly effective and that a trade-off for a weapons freeze is the only viable path forward. He warned that aiming for full denuclearization under current circumstances guarantees failure.

Lee emphasized that President Trump is the only leader capable of persuading Kim Jong-un to return to negotiations, potentially securing a peace treaty to formally end the Korean War. Lee's upcoming visit to the United Nations aims to present his vision for peace and coexistence on the Korean Peninsula. His return to the Blue House signals a return to normalcy after his predecessor's turbulent term.

Once a freeze is secured, Lee envisions building trust through reciprocal incentives to eventually convince North Korea to reduce its nuclear arsenal. Some analysts warn the approach is naïve, but Lee asks what option remains but diplomacy. North Korea's alignment with Russia and China, particularly after Kim Jong-un deployed troops to support Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has further strengthened its nuclear resolve.