On August 17, 2026, South Korea's Chosun Ilbo reported that 'North Korea's General Secretary Kim Jong Un was unresponsive to President Lee Jae-myung's proposal for "multilateral talks to end the war."'

According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), on the 16th, General Secretary Kim, accompanied by his daughter Ju Ae and wife Ri Sol Ju, watched a performance by the National Circus Troupe celebrating the 81st anniversary of the liberation of the fatherland at the Pyongyang Circus Theater. General Secretary Kim expressed satisfaction with the tightrope walking and aerial acrobatics, and also took commemorative photos with the officials.

Also, on the same day, General Secretary Kim and his entourage attended sports and cultural events, watching competitions such as swimming and diving. North Korean media, including the KCNA and Rodong Sinmun, released photos showing Ju Ae sitting right next to General Secretary Kim, in the central seat, while watching.

General Secretary Kim's entourage reportedly included a Party Secretary, Premier, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and advisors to the Ministry of National Defense.

On the 15th, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung proposed multilateral talks to end the Korean War in his Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day from Japan's colonial rule) speech. Although it was an official call for peace talks to North Korea, North Korean media had not mentioned this speech as of the morning of the 17th.

Regarding this article, many cold comments were posted by South Korean netizens towards President Lee, such as: 'No reaction (lol)', 'Even Jong Un must think it's just talk in his sleep', 'It means it's not even worth reacting to', 'Did you expect some kind of reaction? It's obvious it's just a performance', 'It seems even Jong Un has an eye for people', 'If the threat of war disappears, the hereditary succession of the North Korean regime will end, so there's no way they'd agree to an end to the war', and 'Such a desperate, one-sided courtship is unbearable to watch. It's tearing apart the self-esteem of the South Korean people.' (Translation/Editing by Mae)