South Korea proposes formal talks to end 70-year war

Did you know that Korea has been divided into two countries for over 70 years? The split happened after a war that stopped in 1953.

Now, a South Korean leader named Lee Jae Myung has made a new idea. He wants to start talks with North Korea. His goal is to officially end the war between the two countries.

For a long time, the two Koreas have not talked much. They have lived in a frozen conflict. This means the fighting stopped, but there is no real peace. No treaty was signed. The two countries are still technically at war.

Why is this idea important? Ending the conflict could change everything for Korea. Families separated by the border might visit each other. The economy could grow. People might travel freely between the two countries.

Of course, this is very difficult. The two governments have different ideas about politics and power. Trust between them is low. But Lee Jae Myung believes it is worth trying.

Many people in South Korea have family in the North. They want to see their relatives again. Ending the war officially would be a big step toward making this possible.

What would change if Korea were united again? Think about how your own country would be different if it were split in two, and then imagine it becoming one again.

Inspired by reporting from BBC News.