Yoon: "Washington Declaration, an Inevitable Choice... Not a Matter That Changes with Government" (Comprehensive)

First Speech and Dialogue by Korean President at Harvard Kennedy School
Dialogue with Professor Joseph Nye Highlights Meaning of 'Washington Declaration'
"Republic of Korea Has Nuclear Armament Technology Base but It's Not a Simple Issue"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the United States, is having a dialogue with Professor Joseph Nye after delivering a speech titled "A New Journey Toward Freedom" at Harvard University's Kennedy School near Boston on the 28th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol said on the 28th (local time) that the "Washington Declaration," which was created with the core idea of establishing the "Nuclear Consultation Group (NCG)," is an "inevitable choice that can no longer be reversed." He emphasized that the declaration includes the obligation of the South Korean government, along with the U.S. administration's duties, not to develop nuclear weapons independently and to respect the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), stating, "The effectiveness does not change just because the government officials change."

After finishing his speech at Harvard University's Kennedy School in Boston, USA, President Yoon responded to a question from Joseph Nye, Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, and the audience regarding the possibility of deterioration in relations between South Korea and China due to the Washington Declaration.

He also brought up the background that North Korea's nuclear development has advanced and that the nuclear threat has become concrete and threatening because the UN Security Council permanent members did not cooperate in response to violations of Security Council resolutions. As a result, not only South Korea but also Japan and the United States are exposed, making it an inevitable choice that cannot be reversed.

In response to Professor Nye's question that "the Washington Declaration is interpreted as effectively recognizing North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons," President Yoon drew a clear line, saying, "The Washington Declaration is by no means a declaration recognizing North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons." He added, "Rather, it denies North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons and establishes a system that defines North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons as an illegal act in the international community and responds accordingly," emphasizing that North Korea's nuclear possession cannot be acknowledged.

He reiterated the South Korean government's position to comply with the Non-Proliferation Treaty. When asked by a student about public opinion in South Korea favoring independent nuclear armament, President Yoon replied, "There are various values and interests that must be sacrificed when possessing nuclear weapons." He continued, "There is public opinion in our country for independent nuclear armament. That argument gains strength whenever North Korea escalates missile threats," and added, "The Republic of Korea has the technological foundation to achieve nuclear armament quickly, possibly within a year, if it decides to pursue it." He explained that since it is not a simple technical issue, complex political and economic problems are also involved.

President Yoon, the first sitting South Korean president to give a speech at Harvard University, mentioned "freedom" several times that day, criticizing illegality, dictatorship, and totalitarianism. He 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 democracy is shaken and freedom is threatened as a result, expressing concern that "recently, AI technology has made the situation even more serious." As a solution, President Yoon proposed "courage" and "solidarity," elaborating that "strong solidarity among people who desire freedom, as well as international solidarity, is necessary."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also pointed out Russia's invasion of Ukraine. President Yoon stated, "It has been over a year since the invasion of Ukraine. The invasion, which violated international law, has brutally trampled on the freedom and human rights of the Ukrainian people," and added, "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."

He mentioned North Korea for the same reason. President Yoon 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, the peace and freedom of the world," and added, "This totalitarian attitude inevitably leads to a horrific collective human rights violation situation within North Korea." He also pointed out that those who threaten freedom and democracy disguise themselves as democratic forces and human rights activists. President Yoon said, "We must always be vigilant against them and not be deceived," and emphasized, "To do so, we all must have a firm philosophy and belief in freedom."

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