President Yoon: "In Case of Taiwan Dispute, North Korean Provocations Likely... North Korea's Nuclear Threat is the Most Serious"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 25th (local time), "If China attacks Taiwan, the likelihood of North Korea also provoking will greatly increase," adding, "Responding to North Korea's provocations based on a strong South Korea-US alliance will be the top priority."

In an interview with the US CNN broadcast released that day, President Yoon said, "Our position on the Taiwan issue is not ambiguous. No matter the situation or the questions asked, the answer will remain unchanged and consistent."

Regarding a follow-up question, "Does this mean the US should fulfill its defense commitments to the Korean Peninsula before responding to the Taiwan conflict?" he replied, "It is not appropriate to answer the US's priorities," but added, "Both the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan are important to the US and will be protected by the US, its allies, and partner countries."

President Yoon also expressed concern, saying, "While global attention is on acts of invasion like the Ukraine crisis and threats in the Taiwan Strait, from South Korea's standpoint, North Korea's nuclear threat is naturally the most serious."

Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of the South Korea-US alliance, stating, "The security alliance between South Korea and the US is now evolving into an economic alliance and an advanced technology alliance," and "For the sake of global peace and stability and the protection of the freedoms of world citizens, the South Korea-US relationship is developing much more closely than in the past in terms of security, supply chains, and various other aspects, and this will continue to progress." He explained, "I believe the alliance with the US is important because it is the most helpful in developing all of South Korea's potential capabilities and benefits our national interests."

However, when asked whether the reason he did not meet directly with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi during her visit to South Korea after her Taiwan visit in August was because of China, President Yoon said, "There can be various opinions on whether the president, who was on vacation, should meet Speaker Pelosi, who visited at the invitation of the National Assembly Speaker," adding, "Not only Speaker Pelosi but also six members of the House of Representatives had pleasant and productive phone conversations with us, and we had very productive and friendly discussions."

Regarding the background of his entry into politics, he said, "Because the foundational values of our Korean politics and political infrastructure?such as value orientation, belief in the rule of law, freedom, market economy, and democracy?had deteriorated so much, I entered the presidential election with the intention of restoring them."

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