Yoon: "Fake Peace Theory Spreading... Will Create a Free Republic of Korea with a Clear Security Perspective"

President Yoon Attends Veterans Association Ceremony for Second Consecutive Year
Criticizes Moon Administration's Fake Peace as "Threat to This Country's Democracy"
To North Korea: "Despite International Warnings, Nuclear Threats Are Overt"

President Yoon Suk-yeol promised on the 4th, "We will strengthen our capabilities to respond immediately and overwhelmingly to any provocation by the enemy, firmly protect the free Republic of Korea, and safeguard the safety of our people."

On the same day, President Yoon attended the '71st Anniversary Ceremony of the Veterans Association' held at the Olympic Hall in Jamsil Olympic Park in the morning. He criticized the previous Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy as a "fake peace theory" and stated, "With a responsible national perspective and a clear security view, we will build a free, peaceful, and prosperous Republic of Korea."

The Veterans Association was established in 1952 in Busan, the temporary capital during the Korean War. It is Korea's representative security organization composed of discharged soldiers as members. President Yoon attended the Veterans Association commemorative event last year, marking the first time in 20 years since the 50th anniversary ceremony in 2002 that a sitting president participated.

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a congratulatory speech at the 71st Anniversary Ceremony of the Veterans Association and the Nationwide Town, Township, and Neighborhood Chairpersons' All-Out Security Resolution Rally held at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 4th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

President Yoon's direct involvement in the Veterans Association ceremony for two consecutive years is aimed at strengthening national security awareness in response to North Korea's repeated missile provocations and nuclear threats. On this day, President Yoon criticized, "The freedom and peace of the Republic of Korea, protected by the blood of patriotic heroes, are under threat," and added, "Despite repeated warnings from the international community over the past decades, North Korea has been advancing its nuclear and missile capabilities and blatantly threatening to use nuclear weapons." He further urged, "As a bastion of liberal democracy, fulfill your role and mission, and take the lead in strengthening the people's security awareness and establishing a comprehensive security posture."

Regarding the previous administration's North Korea policy, he pointed out, "The fake peace theory, which claims that UN Security Council sanctions on North Korea should be lifted preemptively, the UN Command, which plays an important role in deterring southern invasion, should be dismantled, a declaration of the end of the war should be made, and that peace is guaranteed only by reducing reconnaissance assets on North Korea and not conducting combined South Korea-US defense exercises, is still rampant." He emphasized, "Those of you who have a firm belief in the free Republic of Korea must protect this country."

Following last year, he also promised to improve the treatment of discharged soldiers this year. After receiving a report on the activities of the Veterans Association, President Yoon evaluated, "The Veterans Association, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, declared the 'Veterans Vision 2030' and redefined its identity through changes and innovations such as revitalizing 3,070 town and township organizations," and said, "We will do our best to enhance the welfare and rights of discharged soldiers so that they can take pride in their military service."

Recently, President Yoon has been focusing on security-related activities. On the 1st, Armed Forces Day, he inspected the 25th Infantry Division of the Army located in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province, during the Chuseok holiday, and said, "Remember that your dedication on the front line of security is the shortcut to boosting our economy and industry. Take pride and fulfill your duties," and urged, "Protect national security with strong power."

On the 26th of last month, he personally attended a military parade in the heart of Seoul and told the military, "Our military is the people's military," adding, "It holds the responsibility to guarantee the people's freedom and safety." At the Armed Forces Day commemorative event on the same day, he declared, "Only a strong military guarantees true peace," and emphasized his determination to maintain peace through strength based on the highest level of security cooperation with the United States established through this year's South Korea-US summit and South Korea-US-Japan summit. President Yoon's efforts to strengthen security are expected to continue. The Presidential Office announced that the direction of state affairs management in the fourth quarter of this year will focus on "strengthening diplomacy and security as well as managing the stabilization of people's livelihoods."

President Yoon Suk-yeol delivers a congratulatory speech at the 71st Anniversary Ceremony of the Veterans Association and the Nationwide Town, Township, and Neighborhood Chairpersons' All-Out Security Resolution Rally held at Olympic Hall, Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 4th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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