Seoul: South Korea announced its intention to move beyond the era of hostility with North Korea, despite Pyongyang’s refusal to engage in diplomatic discussions. The South Korean government expressed “regret” over North Korea’s criticism of Seoul’s peace initiatives, which were labeled as a “deceptive appeasement offensive” by Pyongyang, as reported by local media.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Lee Jae Myung’s administration is committed to ending hostility and fostering a new era of peaceful coexistence and mutual growth on the Korean Peninsula. The presidential office in Seoul emphasized the sincerity of its efforts, stating that it is regrettable that North Korean authorities have distorted and misrepresented their intentions.

The response from Seoul follows remarks from Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who dismissed Lee’s efforts to improve relations as “impossible.” Kim accused South Korea of pretending to seek reconciliation while simultaneously conducting joint military exercises with the US, which she claimed were aimed at undermining North Korea’s nuclear and missile capabilities.

The exercises in question include the 11-day annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise, a large-scale drill conducted by South Korea and the US, which began on Monday. This exercise coincides with a four-day civil defense drill involving approximately 580,000 civilians, including an anti-air raid drill scheduled for Wednesday.

Kim further stated that South Korea could not be considered a diplomatic partner and would not be allowed any role in shaping the future diplomacy of the region. Her comments were echoed by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who condemned the joint military drills as indicative of a desire to “ignite a war.”

In response, President Lee reiterated South Korea’s respect for North Korea’s current system and reassured that the country does not aim for unification by “absorption.” Lee’s administration plans to take “proactive, gradual steps” to restore the 2018 military agreement, which aimed to reduce border tensions between the two nations.

Since taking office in early June, Lee’s government has taken several measures to ease tensions, including dismantling propaganda broadcasts along the border, banning anti-Pyongyang leaflets, and delaying certain aspects of the US-South Korea joint drills.