Seoul: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Tuesday reaffirmed his call for dialogue based on "firm deterrence" for peaceful coexistence with arch-rival North Korea and mutual prosperity on the Korean Peninsula, local media reported.

According to Anadolu Agency, in a video message for the opening ceremony of the Seoul Defense Dialogue, President Lee emphasized the necessity for "stronger" security cooperation amid unprecedented and complex challenges in the international security environment. He stated, "We will unwaveringly continue efforts to achieve peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity on the Korean Peninsula through trust and dialogue based on firm deterrence."

The Korean Peninsula remains divided since the Korean War of the 1950s, which concluded with an armistice rather than a peace treaty, technically leaving the two Koreas in a state of war. President Lee highlighted Seoul's ongoing efforts to expand dialogue opportunities for peace and prosperity through mutual respect and cooperation, grounded in its independent defense capabilities.

He further remarked on the persistence of confrontations and armed conflicts worldwide, noting that the global nuclear nonproliferation regime, which has supported global peace for decades, is facing significant challenges. Urging for a new model of security cooperation rooted in "strong deterrence, international norms, and shared resilience," President Lee observed that these global challenges cannot be tackled by a single nation.

The president also pointed out that rapidly advancing technologies, including artificial intelligence, have emerged as sources of new and "unpredictable" security threats, underscoring the need for a comprehensive approach to address these issues.