South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday called on Pyongyang to engage in dialogue to formally end the Korean War, which has remained unresolved for more than 70 years.

Technically, the two countries have been at war since the 1950-53 Korean War, which ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. Lee, who became South Korea's president last year after his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted from office over his attempt to declare martial law, has sought to improve relations with North Korea and its ally China, which had deteriorated under Yoon's rule.

Lee made the proposal in a speech at a ceremony marking the 81st Liberation Day, which commemorates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945.

"Let's put aside our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long war as directly involved parties," Lee said, adding that they could also discuss "effective ways to stop the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities."

Lee said he hoped the two countries would "meet face to face for peaceful coexistence and mutual growth" and that such talks could provide a forum to discuss ways to curb North Korea's nuclear development.

North Korea has not yet responded to Lee's proposal.

In April, President Lee Jae-Myung apologized to North Korea for the drone incursions into the country. South Korean prosecutors have indicted three people — a National Intelligence Service employee, a military officer and a graduate student — for sending unmanned aerial vehicles to North Korea between September 2025 and January 2026. Seoul had previously denied official involvement in the incursions, saying they were carried out by civilians.

In March, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un described South Korea as “the most hostile state,” vowing to “completely reject and ignore it.” Seoul said it would “pay the price” for its provocations.