Yoon Seok-yeol: "North Korea and Democratic Party United as One Team to Portray Me as a 'Warmonger'... I Will Not Resign"

"'Resign from the candidate position,' North Korea's clear election interference"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated on the 23rd that the North Korean propaganda media 'Tongil-ui Meori' mentioning his 'withdrawal from the race' is a "clear election interference," and said, "I will not withdraw."

On the same day, Yoon wrote on Facebook, "North Korea and the Democratic Party have become a 'one team' to mislead people by labeling me a 'warmonger,'" adding, "A preemptive strike is our self-defensive measure that can be chosen when North Korea's nuclear and missile attacks are imminent."

He said, "If even one North Korean nuclear or missile strike hits, millions of our citizens could be sacrificed. This would be an unimaginable catastrophe," emphasizing, "I will never stand by and watch our people suffer. I will employ all means to protect the safety of our citizens."

Yoon added, "I will rebuild the South Korea-U.S. alliance that has collapsed over the past five years and ensure that the extended deterrence (nuclear umbrella) between South Korea and the U.S. works effectively," and said, "I will restore the 'Korean-style 3-axis system' and strengthen independent response capabilities."

He also stated, "I will early operationalize intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and the 'Korean-style Iron Dome,'" and added, "I will make sure North Korea dares not provoke us."

Finally, Yoon said, "I will not withdraw," and emphasized, "The people of the Republic of Korea come first." The previous day, he also posted on Facebook a two-line message saying, "I have no intention to withdraw. The people of the Republic of Korea come first."

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