Yoon Visits Harvard University to Address 'Fake News'... "Courage Needed to Protect Freedom" (Update)

South Korean President's First Visit... Criticizing Illegality and Dictatorship Amid Concerns of 'Change by Force'

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated in his speech at Harvard University on the 28th (local time) that "anti-intellectualism, characterized by false agitation and fake news, threatens and endangers freedom and democracy," adding, "To defend freedom and democracy against these forces, courage and solidarity are necessary." He particularly warned against 'attempts to change the status quo by force,' defining Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an 'invasion violating international law,' and pointed out that it brutally trampled on freedom and human rights.

On the same day, President Yoon delivered a speech titled "A New Journey Toward Freedom" at Harvard University's Kennedy School in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, stating, "In the international community, the attitude of not respecting the freedom of others or other countries often manifests as attempts to change the status quo by force."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Beginning his speech by mentioning South Korea's first president, Syngman Rhee, President Yoon recalled that during his visit in 2018, he was greatly inspired by the Harvard faculty. This is the first time a sitting South Korean president has spoken at Harvard University. Throughout the speech, President Yoon repeatedly emphasized 'freedom' while condemning illegality, dictatorship, and totalitarianism.

In particular, President Yoon pointed out, "Democracy is based on truth and the free formation of public opinion," and noted, "False agitation and fake news combined with digital and mobile platforms have become commonplace in distorting truth and public opinion." He argued that this situation shakes democracy and threatens freedom, expressing concern that "recently, AI technology has made the situation even more serious." As a solution, President Yoon proposed 'courage' and 'solidarity,' adding, "Strong solidarity among people who desire freedom, as well as international solidarity, is necessary."

He also addressed Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Yoon said, "It has been over a year since the invasion of Ukraine. This invasion, which violates international law, has brutally trampled on the freedom and human rights of the Ukrainian people," and stated, "Attempts to change the status quo by force, which disregard the freedom of other countries, must be met with courageous and resolute solidarity by the international community."

President Yoon mentioned North Korea for similar reasons. He expressed concern, saying, "North Korea's illegal development of nuclear weapons and nuclear threats seriously threaten not only the Korean Peninsula but also neighboring countries and, furthermore, global peace and freedom," and added, "This totalitarian attitude inevitably leads to a horrific collective human rights violation situation within North Korea." He also pointed out that those threatening freedom and democracy disguise themselves as democratic forces and human rights activists. President Yoon warned, "We must always be vigilant against them and not be deceived," emphasizing, "To do so, we all must have a firm philosophy and belief in freedom."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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