South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed government ministries to prepare for the gradual implementation of past inter-Korean agreements on Monday, calling improved relations with North Korea essential to the ROK’s national interest.

Lee made the remarks at his first Ulchi National Security Council (NSC) meeting, held as the U.S. and ROK launched their annual joint Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS) summer exercises.

He urged ministries to pursue the “step-by-step implementation of feasible parts of existing inter-Korean agreements,” framing peace as the foundation of security. 

“It is better to win without fighting, and even better to maintain a state of peace where