South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said he is open to limited sanctions relief for North Korea in return for halting its nuclear and missile programs, calling for “middle ground” engagement with Pyongyang in an interview released Thursday.

Seoul’s Presidential Office confirmed Lee’s reported remarks to TIME magazine in a press release, noting the interview took place on Sept. 3 to mark the president’s first 100 days in office.

In the interview, covered in two articles, Lee said an “all or nothing” approach has failed to curb North Korea’s weapons development, arguing that pressure alone will only push Pyongyang to