South Korean President Lee Jae Myung pledged to "respect" North Korea's political system and said Seoul would not seek unilateral reunification in a speech to mark Liberation Day.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung marked Liberation Day by pledging to respect North Korea’s system and build “military trust,” in a sharp policy shift from his predecessor.

South Korea’s birth rate has dropped throughout much of the past decade, spelling trouble for the military as regional threats and global conflicts simmer.