On the 29th, a live broadcast of President Yoon Suk-yeol’s national briefing was held at the Seoul Station main hall. President Yoon stated that the government is carrying out diplomatic efforts befitting Korea’s elevated global status. During the briefing at the presidential office in Yongsan that morning, he emphasized the government’s commitment to contributing to global freedom, peace, and prosperity since its establishment.
President Yoon highlighted the elevation of the ROK-US alliance to a “comprehensive strategic alliance,” aiming to provide more opportunities for Korean companies, citizens, and future generations in the fields of security, economy, advanced technology, information, and cyber. He also mentioned the approval of the “ROK-US Korean Peninsula Deterrence and Warfighting Operations Guidelines” between himself and President Biden, upgrading the ROK-US Nuclear Consultative Group to a unified deterrence system.
Regarding the ROK-Japan relations, President Yoon stated that the normalization of relations last year after 12 years and the active high-level exchanges have revitalized security and economic cooperation between the two countries. He forecasted that annual people-to-people exchanges between the two nations would exceed ten million, marking a record high.
President Yoon emphasized the importance of fostering a cooperative relationship with China based on mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared interests. He highlighted the increased high-level exchanges and communication in various fields between South Korea and China following the resumption of the ROK-China-Japan summit after 4 years and 5 months.
President Yoon mentioned holding 197 summit meetings with 113 countries to expand economic, security, and diplomatic cooperation on all fronts, aiming to expand opportunities for Korean companies and citizens globally. He also stated his dedication to establishing a proper culture of honoring heroes who sacrificed themselves for the country and its people through appropriate acts of remembrance.
Additionally, President Yoon announced the resumption of ROK-US joint military exercises and the acceleration of the construction of a Korean-style three-axis system to significantly enhance South Korea’s deterrence capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. He also pledged to accelerate the “Defense Innovation 4.0” project to nurture elite and advanced armed forces based on AI and advanced science and technology.
President Yoon explained that when South Korea firmly establishes its values of freedom, its freedom and prosperity can extend all the way to North Korea’s land, referencing the “8.15 reunification doctrine” he announced in his Liberation Day address.