President Lee Jae-myung on the 25th (local time) visited the New York Stock Exchange and said, "North Korea appears to have already secured enough nuclear weapons to maintain its regime, and its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology is nearing the final stage (to the level of being able to strike the United States)," adding, "There is considerable security benefit in stopping the production and export alone, as there is a high possibility that it will export nuclear weapons or nuclear materials beyond what is needed to maintain the regime." In other words, even if it is not "denuclearization," merely halting the production of nuclear weapons and nuclear materials is a gain.
At the New York Stock Exchange that day, Lee presided over the "Korea economy briefing (IR) investment summit," attended by more than 20 heavyweights in U.S. finance, and made these remarks. The thrust was that the North Korea issue, cited as an obstacle to the growth of the Korean stock market, can be resolved. In particular, he explained that the Korean Peninsula's geopolitical risk is a "political issue" rather than military tension. The new administration aims to ease military tensions through improving relations, including dialogue with North Korea.
Lee said, "We will also address the instability and undervaluation caused by inter-Korean military confrontation," adding, "All the worries about military tension on the Korean Peninsula stem from political reasons." He went on, "North Korea did not do this even right after the war, but (now) it is installing triple barbed-wire fences," and added, "It is not for invasion but to build defensive facilities to prevent movement northward. North Korea feels insecure because it is inferior in military power." He then said, "In fact, it is all a political issue, so improving relations with North Korea is essential."
He also cited "advancement of North Korea's nuclear technology" as another reason why improving relations with the North is necessary. Saying that North Korea is about to complete ICBM technology capable of reaching the United States, he said, "Because of the war between Russia and Ukraine, North Korea-Russia military cooperation has strengthened, creating a risk factor for us and an opportunity for North Korea."
Lee said, "North Korea continues to produce nuclear materials that can make 15 to 20 nuclear warheads a year, and it is also enhancing its ability to manufacture nuclear bombs," adding, "If left as is, the number of nuclear bombs will increase by about 15 to 20 each year." He then said the steps should be: ▲ in the short term, a halt to North Korea's nuclear development and nuclear exports and further ICBM development; ▲ in the midterm, reduction of nuclear weapons; ▲ in the long term, pursuit of denuclearization.
He also stressed former President Donald Trump's role as "peacemaker." Lee said, "The only person who has the capability and will to conduct such negotiations, and whom North Korea can trust, is President Trump," adding, "If peace is achieved in the world's only divided nation, it will truly be an achievement in building peace of world-historic significance. He will become a true peacemaker." He added, "We will work hard to coordinate and support that." This refers to his remark at the South Korea-U.S. summit last month, when he proposed that Trump be a "peacemaker," and that he himself would be a "pacemaker."