Yoon: "An event from 100 years ago... I cannot accept the idea that Japan must kneel"

Interview with US WP before Visiting the US

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the South Korea-US alliance as "the most successful alliance in history and, above all, an alliance based on shared values" in an interview with the US Washington Post (WP) conducted ahead of his state visit to the United States.

In the interview with WP held at the presidential office before his visit to the US, President Yoon said, "(The most important thing in this visit) is for both countries to properly recognize the historical significance and achievements of the South Korea-US alliance," the report said on the 24th (local time).

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who are making a state visit to the United States, are boarding Air Force One at Seongnam Seoul Airport on the 24th, greeting the farewell crowd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding support for Ukraine, President Yoon said, "Of course, since Ukraine is under illegal invasion, it is appropriate to provide aid in various forms, but we cannot ignore the direct and indirect relationships between countries at war when deciding what and how to supply."

WP also reported that in an interview with Reuters last week, President Yoon mentioned that if the situation worsens, it might be difficult for South Korea to insist solely on humanitarian or financial support.

In that interview, President Yoon stated, "If there is a large-scale attack on civilians, a mass massacre that the international community cannot tolerate, or a serious violation of the laws of war, it may be difficult to insist on only humanitarian or financial support," suggesting the possibility of arms support.

WP pointed out that as China clearly intends to challenge US hegemony economically and militarily, security agreements with Japan and South Korea are becoming increasingly important. However, it also noted frictions between South Korea and the US, such as the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the CHIPS Act on South Korea's manufacturing industry, and the rising public support in South Korea for independent nuclear development. WP reported that these various issues will be discussed during President Yoon’s visit to the US.

Regarding diplomacy with Japan, President Yoon said that South Korea’s security concerns were too urgent to delay cooperation with Japan, and that some critics would never accept this.

He said, "Europe has experienced several wars over the past 100 years, yet it has found ways to cooperate with countries at war for the future. I could not accept the idea that something is absolutely impossible because of what happened 100 years ago, or that Japanese people must kneel to ask for forgiveness because of our history 100 years ago. This is a matter that requires a decision. We did our best to persuade."

WP introduced President Yoon as a figure with no political experience when he ran for president, who graduated from South Korea’s top prestigious university and passed the judicial examination after nine attempts. It also highlighted his reputation as a tough prosecutor who exposed investigation interference during his time as head of the National Intelligence Service’s comment investigation team in 2013 under the Park Geun-hye administration, quoting his famous saying, "I am not loyal to people."

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