Lee says ember of hope for dialogue, cooperation with N. Korea still exists

Lead

ROME — President Lee Jae Myung said Sunday that he believes the "ember of hope" for reviving dialogue and cooperation with North Korea still exists, reaffirming his commitment to making the utmost efforts to establish peace with Pyongyang. Speaking at a special Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Lee also reiterated his administration's steps to ease tensions, including the suspension of propaganda loudspeaker campaigns toward the North.

The Mass, celebrated by South Korea-born Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik under the theme of peace and solidarity, came as Lee visits Italy on his first European trip since taking office in June last year. He is scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV at the Holy See on Monday.

Coverage Comparison

Multiple reports from Yonhap News Agency covered the president's remarks and the broader context of inter-Korean relations. All accounts consistently quoted Lee's key statements, including his reference to the inter-Korean joint statement of June 15, 2000, as a "historic turning point" that opened the door to dialogue and cooperation. The reports also highlighted Lee's pledge not to seek unification by absorption or unilateral ideological competition, and his commitment to preventing accidental conflicts and restoring military trust.

A separate Yonhap article, also published on Sunday, focused on Cardinal You's comments about the possibility of a papal visit to North Korea. That report, attributed to the cardinal, said the pope is willing to "play a role for peace on the Korean Peninsula," but that a visit would depend on whether Pyongyang invites him and sets conditions.

Key Claims

Lee's remarks were reported by all three Yonhap articles, with direct quotes from his speech. He said: "I firmly believe the ember of that hope is still alive," referring to the spirit of the 2000 joint statement. That statement, adopted June 15, 2000, led to reunions of families separated by the 1950-53 Korean War, as well as humanitarian cooperation and other exchanges, according to the reports.

The president also said his administration has suspended propaganda loudspeaker campaigns toward Pyongyang as part of efforts to ease tensions. He added: "We have also made it clear that we will not seek unification by absorption or unilateral (ideological) competition. We will continue efforts to prevent accidental conflicts between the South and the North and to restore military trust. We plan to do everything we can to overcome the ceasefire and build a peace system."

On the papal visit, Cardinal You was quoted as saying: "As I see it, it depends on North Korea," adding that it is up to the North to invite the pope and set conditions. The cardinal also said a visit by Pope Leo XIV, who is American by birth, might help mobilize Catholic support in the United States, which could in turn allow the Vatican to play a role in North Korea-U.S. relations. These remarks were carried by a single outlet and have not been independently verified.

Perspectives

President Lee's remarks reflect his administration's stated policy of engaging North Korea peacefully, emphasizing humanitarian cooperation and military trust-building. However, reports also note that North Korea has remained unresponsive to Seoul's overtures and has pledged not to give up its nuclear weapons and missile programs. That characterization appears in one of the Yonhap articles, though it is not attributed to a specific official, and its accuracy could not be independently confirmed.

The Vatican's role is seen by Seoul as potentially influential, given the late Pope Francis's repeated expressions of willingness to visit North Korea. The current reports suggest Pope Leo XIV is similarly inclined, but the practical feasibility remains uncertain, depending on Pyongyang's cooperation.