SEOUL - Republic of Korea President Lee Jae-myung on Friday vowed to take consistent measures to reduce tensions and restore trust with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"Our government will take consistent measures to substantially reduce tensions and restore trust (with the DPRK)," Lee said in his speech to mark the 80th anniversary of the Korean Peninsula's liberation from the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.

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Lee, who took office in early June, said the long-drawn-out hostility will not benefit people in any of the two Koreas, stressing that now is the time to move beyond outmoded Cold War confrontation and usher in a new era of peace on the peninsula.

The ROK leader said Seoul and Pyongyang should immediately restore trust and revive dialogue through actions.

Lee said Seoul will respect existing inter-Korean agreements, vowing to take proactive, gradual steps to restore the Sept 19 military agreement, signed during the 2018 inter-Korean summit, to prevent accidental clashes and build military trust between the two Koreas.

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He affirmed respect for the DPRK's current system and no intention of engaging in any hostile acts with Pyongyang.