Nuclear Phase-Out Followed by Security Views... Yoon Seok-yeol Targets Moon Government for Second Day

Starting Public Welfare Activities at Daejeon National Cemetery
Indirect Criticism of Moon Administration's North Korea Policy
Visit to KAIST to Oppose Nuclear Phase-Out
Meeting with Nuclear Engineering Students

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee, Juni Park (Daejeon)] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol has put security awareness at the forefront of his policy agenda, following his opposition to the nuclear phase-out policy. This move is interpreted as a continuation of his criticism of the current administration's nuclear phase-out policy and raising concerns about the North Korea engagement policy.

On the morning of the 6th, Yoon visited the National Daejeon National Cemetery, paying respects at the Memorial Tower, then touring the graves of the 46 Cheonan War heroes, the late Lieutenant Han Junho’s grave (Soldiers’ 3rd Cemetery), and the graves of those who died in the Yeonpyeong Island bombardment and naval battles in sequence. While walking around the Cheonan War heroes’ graves, Yoon muttered to himself, "They are 21 years old here, and 20 years old there," expressing his sorrow. After the memorial, he told reporters, "I thought about how we should live for our country. My determination and resolve have been renewed once again." He added, "I made a firm resolution and determination to restore this country, which these people protected with their lives, with fairness and common sense, so that our citizens and future generations can live happily."

Yoon’s actions on this day appear to be aimed at criticizing the Moon Jae-in administration’s North Korea policy, which was consistent with an engagement approach. Yoon has emphasized national security even before his political declaration, stating that "honoring veterans is equivalent to national defense." On May 5th, he met with Lee Chan-ho, a victim of the K9 self-propelled artillery explosion accident, and on Memorial Day (June 6th), he had a three-hour conversation with Jeon Jun-young, president of the Cheonan War Survivors Reserve Association. During the meeting, Yoon said, "Those who create and spread rumors about the Cheonan War, who disregard and mock the sacrificed soldiers, threaten the foundation of the country and mislead the public. They should be ashamed in front of the resting patriotic martyrs." When Yoon visited the Seoul National Cemetery at that time, he wrote in the guestbook, "I will create a country where those who sacrificed will not be angered."

After paying respects at the National Cemetery, Yoon moved to the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) to meet with students from the Department of Nuclear and Quantum Engineering who oppose the nuclear phase-out policy and hear their opinions. He also held a meeting with media representatives from the Chungcheong and Daejeon regions.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.