South Korea’s Plan to Address North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons Program

In a unique start to his ruling against President Donald Trump’s administration on September 30, U.S. District Court Judge William Young included a scanned handwritten note sent to his office. The note read: “Trump has pardons and tanks – what do you have?” At the top of Young’s opinion in AAUP v. Rubio, which ruled that Trump’s effort to deport foreign-born student protesters was unconstitutional.

October 8, 2025

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposes a three-step plan aimed at prompting North Korea, led by Kim Jong Un, to reduce and eventually abandon its nuclear weapons program. He seeks to resume dialogue with Pyongyang.

Why It Matters

Lee, from the Democratic Party of Korea, aims to de-escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula, which were at a peak during his predecessor’s tenure under Yoon Suk Yeol. North Korea has cut off official communications and expanded its nuclear program while defying United Nations sanctions by testing missiles.

Kim Jong Un claims that nuclear weapons are necessary for deterring U.S. aggression. Last year, the North’s parliament enshrined this capability in the Constitution.

North Korea Test-Fires Missile — The launch of what North Korean state media said was a new intermediate-range hypersonic missile on January 6, 2025.
Korean Central News Agency

What To Know

In an interview with Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, Lee criticized the U.S. approach of “strategic patience” for allowing North Korea’s nuclear program to grow. He outlined a three-stage plan: freezing, reducing, and eventually achieving denuclearization.

Lee contrasted his approach with that of President Yoon, accusing him of an aggressive stance that increased North Korean distrust.

“We must seek—and I believe we can find—a path to peaceful coexistence in which we are not threats to one another, recognize and respect each other, and prosper together,” he stated.

Lee also signaled support for restoring the 2018 inter-Korean agreement to suspend military activities near the border as part of de-escalation efforts.

What People Are Saying

Kim Yo Jong, a vice department director in North Korea’s Workers’ Party, criticized South Korean leaders for talking about peace and improved relations with ulterior motives. Ankit Panda and Frank Aum argued that de-emphasizing denuclearization would align U.S. policy more closely with the reality that North Korea is unlikely to relinquish its nuclear weapons.

What Happens Next

Lee will visit Japan for talks with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, aiming to strengthen trilateral cooperation and promote regional peace.

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