South Korean President Lee Jae Myung vowed on Friday to “respect” North Korea’s political system and build “military trust”, a day after Pyongyang said it had no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

Lee has pledged to pursue dialogue with the nuclear-armed North without preconditions since his election in June, a reversal from his hawkish predecessor.

He said the South Korean government “will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust” with the North.

“We affirm our respect for the North’s current system,” he said at an event marking the anniversary of liberation from Japanese rule, adding that Seoul had “no intention of engaging in hostile acts”.

“I hope that North Korea will reciprocate our efforts to restore trust and revive dialogue,” Lee sai

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