South Korean President warns of "uncalculated confrontation" with the North amid severed communication channels.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups:

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday of the increasing risk of an uncalculated confrontation with North Korea, given the complete breakdown in communication channels between the two sides and the escalation of Pyongyang's rhetoric and military actions. Speaking to reporters on a flight from South Africa to Turkey following his participation in the G20 summit, Lee said that relations between the two Koreas have entered a "very hostile" phase, noting that "even the minimum level of trust no longer exists." He explained that North Korea has recently adopted a more hardline approach, including erecting three layers of barbed wire along the border. The Korean President, who has launched initiatives for unconditional dialogue since taking office last June, renewed his call for Pyongyang to resume communications and open channels of dialogue, stressing that Seoul is "always open" to resuming and normalizing relations. He said: "Why do we communicate with all countries in the world except North Korea? We are calling for dialogue without conditions." Last week, Seoul proposed military talks to prevent potential border clashes, the first offer of its kind in seven years, but North Korea responded by criticizing the defense agreement between South Korea and the United States on the manufacture of nuclear-powered submarines, considering that it would lead to a "nuclear domino effect" and reflects what it described as a "confrontational intention." Lee affirmed that his country will continue its diplomatic efforts despite the escalating tensions, but he stressed the seriousness of the current situation, saying that North Korea has become a "very dangerous country" in the absence of any communication channels that could prevent slipping towards an uncalculated clash.