Kim Ki-hyun: "Yoon's US Visit Achieved Greatest Success in North Korea Nuclear Response and Economic Cooperation"

"Washington Declaration, the Second ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty"
Demands "a more proactive change in stance" toward Japan

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, described President Yoon Seok-yeol's state visit to the United States as "achieving the greatest success by establishing a milestone in bilateral relations, including responses to the North Korean nuclear threat, alliances based on the values of liberal democracy, and the expansion of economic and industrial cooperation."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st, Kim said, "The Washington Declaration is the second upgraded version of the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, now including nuclear weapons," conveying this assessment.

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 1st. From the left, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader; Leader Kim; Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council member. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Kim continued, "During this summit, the two countries established a nuclear consultation group, creating a mechanism for South Korea to have a voice in nuclear operations, significantly strengthening extended deterrence specialized in responding to North Korean nuclear threats," and emphasized, "The United States signing such a level of extended deterrence agreement in writing with an individual country, rather than with multiple countries like NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), is unique to the Republic of Korea, marking the concretization of Korean-style extended deterrence and a qualitative enhancement in its execution."

He also stated, "Beyond the military alliance, we have completed an advanced technology alliance and a global value alliance based on freedom, peace, and prosperity," adding, "The alliance scope has expanded beyond the military alliance to include supply chain cooperation in advanced science and technology fields, as well as artificial intelligence and quantum sectors."

He further said, "We confirmed close trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, and I believe President Yoon's decision played a significant role in normalizing South Korea-Japan relations," and added, "The ROK-U.S. alliance has been solidified even more, and if Japan, with which relations had been strained, joins, we can expect a closer cooperative system among the three countries based on the values of freedom and democracy."

Regarding the ongoing discussions about Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to South Korea, Kim stated, "A more progressive change in Japan's attitude is required."

In response to the Democratic Party of Korea's criticism of President Yoon's state visit to the U.S., Kim said, "Despite President Yoon's state visit being on a completely different level from former President Moon Jae-in's state visits, which were remembered only for 'eating alone' and 'assaults on aides,' the Democratic Party is solely focused on unconditional fault-finding and nitpicking," and criticized, "They have completely forgotten their own submissive diplomacy during their time in power and, even knowing that they are harming themselves, the Democratic Party is obsessed only with criticism, crossing the bounds of decency with their words and actions, which is pathetic."

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