South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has dismissed speculation that U.S.-style military strikes similar to Iran could be directed at North Korea, warning that such rhetoric risks destabilizing the Korean Peninsula and urging officials to focus on maintaining peace.

Lee made the remarks during a special Cabinet meeting on Thursday focused on the administration’s response to the impacts of the ongoing Iran conflict.  

“Some people are making strange claims that, ‘This time it’s North Korea,’” he said. “What benefit is there in unsettling peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula?”

Lee urged Cabinet ministers to prevent public anxiety, reassure citizens