South Korean President Lee Jae Myung declared on Wednesday that relations between Seoul and Pyongyang have reached a "complete standstill," with North Korea halting all dialogue and shutting down every existing communication channel.

Speaking at a press briefing for foreign correspondents on the first anniversary of last year's failed martial-law attempt, President Lee laid out his administration's strategy, which focuses on unilateral de-escalation gestures and leveraging U.S. influence to restart talks.

President Lee reiterated his pledge to pursue policies aimed at rebuilding trust with the North, including unilaterally halting border-area propaganda broadcasts and reducing military activities to prevent miscalculation.

Crucially, however, Lee stressed that his administration believes Pyongyang takes Washington more seriously than Seoul on matters related to regime survival. He emphasized that communication and negotiations between North Korea and the United States should not be restricted by South Korea's position, committing his government to doing its utmost to create conditions for renewed dialogue between the two nations.

"Improved relations between Pyongyang and Washington would contribute significantly to resolving or at least easing tensions on the Korean Peninsula," President Lee stated.

In a significant diplomatic signal, President Lee indicated that the contentious issue of South Korea–U.S. joint military exercises could be reviewed if necessary to enable new diplomatic opportunities. This suggests a willingness to use the exercises as potential leverage in talks aimed at de-escalation.

The South Korean leader has actively courted U.S. President Donald Trump to play a central role, describing him publicly as a "realist" and "master of dealmaking." Lee recently held two summits with Trump, finalizing a major trade arrangement involving a U.S. investment package valued at $350 billion, cementing his strategy to rely on Washington's influence to bring Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.

Lee also highlighted the importance of balancing diplomacy by engaging with China. He underscored that maintaining stable ties with China, South Korea's top trading partner, remains a central priority for his administration. He characterized his recent discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping as surprisingly personable, signaling a commitment to managing the relationship with Beijing amid complex regional dynamics. (ILKHA)