In his address to the 81st UN General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on Sept. 22 (local time), President Lee Jae-myung presented a three-part blueprint for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula: "inclusive peaceful coexistence," in which each side respects the other's system; "stable peaceful coexistence," beginning with the restoration of communication channels; and "responsible peaceful coexistence," which contributes to stability in Northeast Asia. On denuclearization, he proposed starting by halting the advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities and then reducing them step by step. He also announced the "K-Initiative," which bundles an AI-based society for all, a green transition and energy supply chain solidarity, and voiced support for reform of the UN and the Security Council.
President Lee Jae-myung delivered his address at the high-level week of the 81st UN General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York on the afternoon of Sept. 22 (local time). He opened by questioning the role of the UN, asking, "Is the United Nations today truly saving humanity from war, poverty and disaster?"
"I would like to declare before the international community three blueprints that reflect the direction of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula," Lee said as he laid out his vision. The first is "inclusive peaceful coexistence," in which the two Koreas grow together on the basis of respecting each other's systems and acknowledging their differences. The second is "stable peaceful coexistence," which builds institutional mechanisms to prevent crises and manage conflict. The third is "responsible peaceful coexistence," which promotes stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia.
"Restoring Communication Channels Is the First Step"… Proposal for Phased Denuclearization
"Rebuilding trust by first restoring basic communication channels is the first step toward stable peaceful coexistence," Lee said. On denuclearization, he presented a phased approach: first halt North Korea's advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities, then reduce them over the medium term, and ultimately move toward a "Korean Peninsula without nuclear weapons" over the long term. He also emphasized that "a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula is a core task whose necessity has long been shared not only by the two Koreas but also by related countries such as the United States and China."
On international issues, he proposed three initiatives under the name "K-Initiative." They are a "Global AI-Based Society for All," in which everyone shares the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI); a "Green Transition," which transforms industry and makes carbon neutrality a driver of growth; and "Energy Supply Chain Solidarity," which guarantees free passage through international straits. Citing the impact that the blockades of the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea had on supply chains, Lee proposed a "solidarity of constructive contributors."
Lee also spoke on UN reform. "The UN, too, must change with the times," he said, adding that it should reduce overlap among its organizations and programs, speed up decision-making and concentrate limited resources on the field. He voiced support for the "UN80 Initiative" and for reform of the Security Council. He also said, "Agreements reached in the conference hall must lead to change on the ground, and people around the world must be able to feel the results in their lives."
Lee arrived in New York on the 21st and visited Koreatown, and on the 22nd, before his address, he met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres. On the 23rd, he is scheduled to attend an investment-related event with Korean and American business leaders before leaving for a state visit to Mexico. Whether he would hold a separate meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump had drawn attention since before the trip, but as of the 23rd, no summit had been officially announced. The trip runs through the 27th.