Seoul’s restraint toward North Korea is not a sign of weakness



Opinion Seoul’s restraint toward North Korea is not a sign of weakness Critics who accuse Lee Jae Myung of subservience to Pyongyang fail to see how South Korea can win without fighting Ki-ho Han February 12, 2026 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a meeting in Feb. 2026. \| Image: South Korean Presidential Office *Editor’s note:* The following article is an opinion piece by Ki-ho Han, a research professor at the Ajou Institute of Unification Studies. Views expressed in opinion articles are exclusively the author’s own and do not represent those of NK News. Inter-Korean relations were in a sorry state when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office last year. Much of this was due to his conservative predecessor’s policies toward North Korea, which contributed to raising tensions nearly to the point of conflict. Under President Yoon Suk Yeol, Seoul ramped up threats against Pyongyang, resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts, allegedly few drones over © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update & Podcast Updates Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by Trending

Opinion

Seoul’s restraint toward North Korea is not a sign of weakness

Critics who accuse Lee Jae Myung of subservience to Pyongyang fail to see how South Korea can win without fighting

Ki-ho Han February 12, 2026

Seoul’s restraint toward North Korea is not a sign of weakness

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung speaks at a meeting in Feb. 2026. | Image: South Korean Presidential Office

Editor’s note: The following article is an opinion piece by Ki-ho Han, a research professor at the Ajou Institute of Unification Studies. Views expressed in opinion articles are exclusively the author’s own and do not represent those of NK News.

Inter-Korean relations were in a sorry state when South Korean President Lee Jae-myung took office last year.

Much of this was due to his conservative predecessor’s policies toward North Korea, which contributed to raising tensions nearly to the point of conflict. Under President Yoon Suk Yeol, Seoul ramped up threats against Pyongyang, resumed propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts, allegedly few drones over

Seoul’s restraint toward North Korea is not a sign of weakness

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Ki-ho Han

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