South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has prioritized reviving inter-Korean and U.S.-North Korea dialogue through phased approaches focused on halting nuclear advances, restoring communication channels, and pursuing a peace regime, including recent appeals at the September 2026 UN General Assembly and a bilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has signaled openness to engaging Kim Jong Un, including scaled-back joint military exercises in August and reported positive responses, while coordinating with Seoul and Beijing on creative diplomatic steps. North Korea has maintained a hostile posture, labeling South Korea an enemy state, rejecting direct overtures, and affirming its nuclear program as irreversible in recent statements, limiting prospects for near-term bilateral contact. Indirect channels via multilateral talks or third parties remain the primary avenue under discussion, with potential catalysts including any Trump-Kim engagement by year-end.