South Korean President Lee Jae Myung says talks between the United States and North Korea could resume, as Seoul continues efforts to bring Washington and Pyongyang back to the negotiating table.
Speaking on Friday, Lee said US President Donald Trump appeared willing to engage with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He said South Korea would continue preliminary efforts to help create conditions for new talks.
Lee acknowledged that a new meeting between the two sides was not guaranteed, but said it remained possible.
Trump has previously said he hopes to meet Kim again later this year. The US president has also spoken about maintaining communication with the North Korean leader, with whom he held several meetings during his first term.
However, relations between North and South Korea have continued to worsen since the collapse of US-North Korea talks in 2019.
North Korea has also strengthened its ties with Russia in recent years. Seoul estimates that Pyongyang has between 80 and 120 nuclear warheads, while Trump has referred to North Korea having 57 nuclear weapons.
Lee also made clear that South Korea will not send troops to the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts related to the war involving Iran.
He said Seoul would not take military action that could draw the country into the conflict.
South Korea has faced pressure to contribute to efforts to protect shipping in the strategic waterway, which is an important route for global oil supplies.
The issue has also sparked public protests in South Korea, with some groups opposing any military deployment.
Lee said Seoul would instead focus on limited measures to protect South Korean commercial ships and ensure the safety of its oil supply routes.
The South Korean government is also seeking stronger relations with countries across Asia. This week, Seoul hosted its first presidential summit with five Central Asian countries as it looks to expand economic and diplomatic cooperation.
