Yoon Seok-yeol: "Ukraine Invasion Is Not a Distant Issue... ROK-US Joint Exercises Are Essential"

"Democratic Labor Union and Women's Groups Demand Withdrawal of USFK"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, criticized the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) and some women's organizations for advocating the withdrawal of the US Forces Korea and the suspension of the South Korea-US joint military exercises, asking, "How have the US Forces Korea negatively impacted workers' rights and women's human rights?" He emphasized the necessity of the South Korea-US joint military exercises by referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

On the 25th, Yoon stated on Facebook, "'Withdraw the US Forces Korea!', 'Remove the germ warfare units!', 'Stop the South Korea-US joint military exercises!' These have been demands made by the KCTU, the Women's Headquarters of the June 15 Joint Declaration Implementation South Side Committee, and 41 women's organizations since the past," he said.

He added, "Our people feel that war is not a distant matter as they watch real-time reports of Russia's invasion of Ukraine," and argued, "Preventing war is not about mere verbal ceasefire declarations or peace agreements. There must be strong independent national defense capabilities and robust solidarity with allied countries."

He continued, "I once again feel the strength of the US Forces Korea and the South Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty," emphasizing again, "The South Korea-US joint military exercises are essential for deterring North Korea and maintaining peace in Northeast Asia."

He questioned, "Who do the demands of our country's powerful labor unions and some women's organizations opposing the South Korea-US joint military exercises and calling for the withdrawal of the US Forces Korea serve?" and noted, "A prominent Ukrainian official regretted disarming themselves in the past and said, 'The views of the weak are not respected.'"

He pledged, "I will strengthen the South Korea-US alliance and, through solidarity with free democratic countries, ensure that South Korea's views are respected in the international community."

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