Seoul, August 15 (QNA) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday called for talks with North Korea to end their long-running state of war and explore ways to halt the advancement of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities, pledging to pursue a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day, Lee said: "Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties. In the process, (we) may also discuss effective ways to halt the advancement of the North's nuclear capabilities."

Lee said he will embark on a journey to end the war and replace the "unstable armistice system" with a peace regime.

His call for dialogue came as North Korea has not responded to repeated initiatives proposed by Seoul since Lee took office in June last year.

In his Liberation Day address last year, Lee pledged to respect North Korea's current system, reject unification through absorption and refrain from engaging in hostile acts against Pyongyang.

The two Koreas have technically remained at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. (QNA)