South Korea pushes talks with North to formally end Korean War
What's next: Pyongyang has not replied, and the offer lands as North Korea deepens military ties with Russia.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung proposed talks with North Korea to formally end the Korean War, saying the two sides should stop threatening each other and open discussions as the parties directly involved. Lee made the pitch Saturday at a Liberation Day ceremony in Seoul. The 1950-53 war ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty, leaving the two Koreas technically still at war. Lee also said talks could cover practical steps to halt the growth of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. The proposal comes after Pyongyang criticized upcoming US-South Korean military drills and as it expands military cooperation with Russia. North Korea has not responded to Lee's repeated offers of talks without preconditions.