[Summary] President Yoon Emphasizes 'Freedom and Solidarity' at New York UN General Assembly: "The World Is Under Threat"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] President Yoon Suk-yeol, delivering his first keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly since taking office, stated on the 20th, “Threats to freedom and peace must be overcome by strongly supporting and uniting around the universal international normative system that the UN and the international community have accumulated so far.” He proposed “freedom and solidarity” as solutions to global challenges such as the pandemic, high inflation, and the climate crisis. He also emphasized his intention to expand South Korea’s role within the UN.

President Yoon, as the tenth speaker at the 77th UN General Assembly keynote speech held at the UN Headquarters in New York, said, “Today, the international community’s freedom and peace are once again threatened by changes of facts by force, weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons, and collective violations of human rights.”

He pointed out, “True freedom and peace can be realized through freedom from disease and hunger, freedom from illiteracy, and freedom from energy and cultural deprivation,” adding, “The UN has made many efforts to solve these problems, but now it is being asked to take on broader roles and responsibilities.”

He cited the pandemic, decarbonization, and digital divide as representative challenges and argued, “Support must be more boldly provided to countries with insufficient financial conditions and technological capabilities through cooperation of the international community centered on the UN.” He emphasized, “Just as expanding support for the socially vulnerable forms the foundation of sustainable prosperity, support for struggling countries in the international community will make the world’s freedom and peace sustainable.”

Furthermore, President Yoon stressed South Korea’s responsibilities and roles within international solidarity. He explained, “The Republic of Korea is accelerating research and development of COVID-19 treatments and vaccines, while pledging $300 million to the ACT-A initiative and $30 million to the World Bank’s Financial Intermediary Fund, thereby further expanding contributions to strengthening the global health system.” He added, “Regarding climate change issues, the Republic of Korea will expand Green ODA and assist developing countries in transitioning to low-carbon energy,” and “Going forward, we will share more advanced digital technologies than other countries and spare no effort in support and educational investment.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Aligning with the theme of this UN General Assembly, “A Watershed Moment,” President Yoon proposed “Freedom and Solidarity: Seeking Solutions in a Transitional Period” as the speech topic, stating, “We can say that the UN system and the universal international normative system are now on the test bench regarding whether they are truly useful solutions to the global crises we face,” and reiterated, “We can solve these through a firm spirit of solidarity that shares the universal value of freedom and strives together to protect and expand freedom.”

He warned, “If we turn our backs on and abandon the UN system and the universal normative system, the international community will become blockized, and its crises and chaos will intensify,” and raised his voice, “As a solution to transitional crises, I once again appeal for confident support from world citizens and international leaders for the UN system and the universal international normative system.”

President Yoon did not make specific remarks regarding the North Korean nuclear crisis or related issues during the speech. He only mentioned “changes of facts by force, weapons of mass destruction including nuclear weapons, and collective violations of human rights” at the beginning of the speech. This contrasts with former presidents Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in, who emphasized “North Korean nuclear cooperation” in their UN keynote speeches. It is interpreted as an attempt to stress the importance of international solidarity to overcome such threats without naming any specific country.

President Yoon plans to hold multiple bilateral meetings in New York during this UN General Assembly attendance. Immediately after the speech, he will have lunch with former World Bank President Jim Yong Kim. He will also meet with UN Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres to discuss North Korean issues and ways to strengthen Korea-UN cooperation.

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