In a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule, Lee said he would restore the so-called September 19 Comprehensive Military Agreement, a de-escalation measure that halted some military activities at the border between North Korea and South Korea.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung vowed on Friday to "respect" North Korea's political system and build "military trust", a day after Pyongyang said it had no interest in improving relations with Seoul.

South Korea will seek to resume inter-Korean cooperation and intends to restore an agreement to suspend military activity along the border with North Korea, President Lee Jae Myung said on Friday. In a speech to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule,