Yoon's Joint Address to US Congress: "Korea-US Alliance Advances Toward the Future... Join Us on a New Journey"

Alliance of Freedom, Alliance in Action: Speech in English
US fights for freedom and democracy... Korea remembers its heroes
ROK-US alliance, the cornerstone of Korea's freedom, peace, and prosperity
Strengthening cooperation from military security to economy and culture
Crisis of liberal democracy requires joint ROK-US response
Urging North Korea to halt provocations... Enhancing ROK-US and ROK-US-Japan cooperation
Strong condemnation of Ukraine war violating international norms
Indo-Pacific region crucial to Korea... Cooperation based on reciprocity principles

During his state visit to the United States, President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 27th (local time) urged to "join the new journey," stating that the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance will move forward toward the future.

In his speech at the joint session of the US Congress held at the Capitol in Washington DC on the morning of the same day, President Yoon said, "The world we will create together will offer infinite opportunities to future generations." The theme of this speech was 'Alliance of Freedom, Alliance in Action,' and President Yoon delivered it in English.

President Yoon highly evaluated the historical significance of the two world wars fought by the US to protect freedom and democracy, the Korean War, and the 70th anniversary of the Korea-US alliance. He stated, "Over the past century, the United States has taken the lead in defending freedom against threats," adding, "As the imperialist powers intensified their colonial struggles, humanity endured two devastating world wars. The United States chose righteous intervention to protect freedom."

He continued, "The sacrifices made by the United States were not insignificant. In the Pacific War, where General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz played key roles, more than 100,000 American citizens lost their lives," and assessed, "However, their sacrifices were not in vain. The US global leadership in establishing the postwar world free trade order fostered peace and prosperity worldwide."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a speech at the joint session of the U.S. Congress held at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the 27th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

He also highly praised the US's role in fighting against communist totalitarian forces during the Korean War. President Yoon emphasized, "In 1950, the Korean Peninsula was the frontline where liberalism and communist totalitarianism clashed. The peace of the Korean Peninsula and Asia was threatened by North Korea's surprise invasion, backed by the Soviet Union," adding, "At the critical moment when liberal democracy almost disappeared from the Korean Peninsula, the United States did not turn a blind eye."

President Yoon mentioned General MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz, the US Marine Corps 1st Division, soldiers who died in battle, and veteran lawmakers who participated in the Korean War, pledging, "The Republic of Korea will forever remember the great American heroes who defended freedom alongside us."

He expressed gratitude, noting that since the signing of the Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty in 1953, Korea has grown from a recipient of aid to an economic powerhouse that supports other countries. President Yoon stressed, "The United States has stood with us throughout overcoming the horrific wounds and ruins of war to achieve today's prosperous Republic of Korea," and emphasized, "The Korea-US alliance has been the central axis in protecting Korea's freedom and peace and achieving prosperity." He further stated, "The Republic of Korea, the only case in modern world history of a country rising from aid recipient to aid provider, is itself a success story of the Korea-US alliance."

He also mentioned Korea's growth through the Miracle on the Han River, from the poorest country with a per capita income of $67 after the war to one of the world's top 10 economies, Seoul's transformation from ashes to the most vibrant digital international city, and Busan, once overwhelmed with refugees during the war, becoming the world's second-largest port city by transshipment volume.

He introduced the US's rise as a mutually beneficial partner rather than a one-sided aid provider. President Yoon cited examples such as Samsung Electronics' semiconductor plant in Austin, Texas, Hyundai Motor's factory under construction in Bryan County, Georgia, and CSS in Michigan acquired by SK Siltron, calling them "other exemplary cooperation cases."

President Yoon mentioned the mutual affection for Korean works like Parasite and Minari, which won Academy Awards, and American works like Top Gun and Avengers, the presence of each other's songs on the respective national charts, and the attention Korean content receives on global platforms like Netflix, stating, "Cultural exchanges have brought the peoples of both countries closer."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is being applauded by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (right rear) and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Senate President, during his speech at the joint session of the U.S. Congress held at the Capitol in Washington DC on the 27th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stressed that Korea and the US must jointly respond to the current global crisis facing liberal democracy. President Yoon said, "Anti-intellectualism, represented by false agitation and misinformation, threatens democracy and even shakes the rule of law. These totalitarian forces threaten and deny freedom and democracy while often disguising themselves as democracy activists or human rights advocates," adding, "We must not be deceived by such concealment and disguise. We must all unite and bravely fight to ensure that the precious democracy and rule of law system, protected by blood and sweat, are not destroyed by these false disguised forces."

He added, "Upon taking office last year, I declared my mission to make the Republic of Korea a country based on liberal democracy and market economy, where the people are the owners, and to build a respected and proud nation that fulfills its role and responsibilities as a dignified member of the international community," promising, "The Republic of Korea will act as a 'compass of freedom' alongside the United States to protect and expand the freedom of global citizens."

He urged North Korea, which has repeatedly conducted nuclear and missile provocations, to cease provocations, stating, "To firmly deter North Korea's reckless actions, the united will of Korea and the US is paramount. Along with Korea-US cooperation, trilateral security cooperation among Korea, the US, and Japan must also be accelerated." He continued, "Last year, I proposed a 'bold initiative' to drastically improve North Korea's livelihood and economy if it halts nuclear development and transitions to a substantive denuclearization process," and urged, "I once again call on North Korea to stop provocations and take the right path as soon as possible." He also mentioned North Korea's poor human rights situation and asked lawmakers to work to spread freedom and improve human rights there.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting before delivering a speech at the joint session of the U.S. Congress held at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on the 27th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the war in Ukraine, he criticized it as "an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by using force in violation of international norms," stating, "The Republic of Korea strongly condemns the unprovoked armed attack on Ukraine." He emphasized again, "Our experience shows how important solidarity among liberal democratic countries is. The Republic of Korea will actively work with the free world to protect the freedom of the Ukrainian people and assist their reconstruction."

President Yoon mentioned that the Indo-Pacific region is a very important area for Korea's prosperity, stating, "The Republic of Korea will build a 'free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region' based on the principles of inclusiveness, trust, and reciprocity," and pledged, "We will comprehensively and multilayeredly expand cooperation with key partners to strengthen the rules-based order within the Indo-Pacific region."

Regarding the joint statement adopted with US President Joe Biden during President Yoon's state visit to the US, which contains the vision of a 'Forward-moving Alliance in Action,' he conveyed that the alliance will evolve from a traditional military-security alliance to one leading innovation in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology, and Open RAN.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is greeting members of Congress after delivering a speech at the joint session of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate held at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the 27th (local time). [Image source=Yonhap News]

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