South Korea’s new liberal president announced Friday his plans to end some military activities along its border with North Korea and restore a 2018 military agreement with its neighbor in an effort to reduce border tensions.

Speaking on the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule, President Lee Jae Myung said he would bring back the so-called September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement, a de-escalation measure reached between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and South Korea’s former liberal President Moon Jae-in.

“Everyone knows that the long-drawn-out hostility benefits people in neither of the two Koreas,” Lee said during his speech.

Lee called on the North to respond to Seoul’s efforts to rebuild trust and revive dialogue. (AP)

“I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue,” he added.

In June of last year, former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol announced a complete suspension of the military pact after North Korea sent hundreds of rubbish-stuffed balloons across the border. The North had left the pact in November 2023.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.