Promoting a New Unification Perspective Based on Liberal Democracy... Yoon: "March 1st Movement Completed by Unification" (Comprehensive Report 2)

Omission of Liberal Vision in National Community Unification Plan
Diplomatic Independence Movement Mentioned as "Result of All Pioneering Efforts"
South Korea-Japan Relations, Partners Sharing Values Like Freedom
Presidential Office: "No South Korea-Japan Summit This Month"

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is creating a new unification vision that embodies the values of liberal democracy. The government's goal is to present a new perspective on unification in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the officially formalized 'National Community Unification Plan' in 1994.

President Yoon’s remarks on the 1st during the March 1st Movement anniversary speech, defining the roots of the March 1st Independence Declaration as liberalism and emphasizing cooperation with the international community based on freedom and the freedom of North Korean residents, are interpreted as reaffirming the Yoon administration’s governance principles centered on 'freedom' while also hinting at a new unification perspective.

A senior official from the Presidential Office met with reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day and said, "We plan to proceed with work to further specify the Yoon administration’s unification perspective and vision," adding, "The National Community Unification Plan, which has been established as our government’s official unification plan so far, lacks the liberal philosophical vision that we currently aspire to."

The official further explained, "The National Community Unification Plan from 1994 is a mechanical three-stage unification plan consisting of reconciliation and cooperation, a South-North confederation, and the completion of a unified state," and added, "Currently, the Yoon administration’s 'Bold Initiative' and the National Community Unification Plan are running in parallel." As a result of the divided South and North choosing different systems over more than 70 years, it has been proven that liberal democracy holds superiority, and a new unification plan based on liberal democracy is necessary to achieve freedom and prosperity for North Korean residents.

Yoon Mentions Unification for the First Time at March 1st Ceremony...Presidential Office: "Over 70 Years of Division, Clear Which System Between South and North Is Right"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Unlike last year, President Yoon mentioned unification in this year’s March 1st anniversary speech. At the 105th March 1st Movement anniversary ceremony held at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul, President Yoon emphasized, "The March 1st Movement is only complete with unification where everyone enjoys freedom and prosperity," and added, "Now, we must move toward a free unified Korean Peninsula where all citizens are owners."

He particularly stated, "Our unification efforts must become hope and a beacon for North Korean residents," and promised, "The government will not withdraw its helping hand toward North Korean residents, and efforts to improve North Korean human rights will not cease." As part of this, the government has designated July 14th this year as 'North Korean Defectors Day.'

A senior official from the Presidential Office explained, "The fact that South and North have caused completely opposite results under the division situation clearly shows what everyone believes is right and what they want."

Yoon Emphasizes 'Freedom' at This Year’s March 1st Ceremony... "Roots of March 1st Independence Declaration Are Liberalism"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The overarching theme of President Yoon’s March 1st anniversary speech was 'freedom.' This is based on the idea that the March 1st Movement was a movement to restore Korea’s sovereignty and a nonviolent struggle for freedom, and that this belief has developed Korea into a global pivotal country.

At the beginning of his speech, President Yoon quoted a passage from the March 1st Independence Declaration stating, "Our nation seeks to develop freely forever, and to keep pace with the great flow of world change created by humanity according to conscience," emphasizing, "At the root of the March 1st Independence Declaration was liberalism, the major trend in world history at the time."

President Yoon also said, "The blood shed by our ancestors soaked the land to sprout the seeds of freedom, and they believed that descendants could live happily in a country of freedom and prosperity," and emphasized, "Moreover, the March 1st Movement was a future-oriented independence struggle rarely seen in any history." He particularly noted, "The March 1st Movement dreamed of a new country where freedom was enjoyed by all regardless of age or gender, not the restoration of monarchy," and paid tribute by saying, "And the faith and hope of our ancestors were fulfilled as they wished."

He continued, "No trial could stop our challenge toward freedom and prosperity. A country without capital or resources, devastated by war, built highways, nuclear power plants, and industries," and added, "Even in times when it was hard to secure meals, we invested generously in science, technology, and education looking toward the future. I am truly proud of the great journey of our people who have overcome countless hardships and challenges," repeatedly expressing respect.

'Diplomatic Independence Movement' and 'Industrialization'... Emphasizing the Achievements of Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He mentioned the importance of independence movements not only in the armed struggle, which has received focused attention, but also in diplomacy, education, and culture. While explaining the industrialization achievements during former President Park Chung-hee’s era, who revived heavy industry such as highways and nuclear power plants, it is interpreted that he indirectly praised former President Rhee Syngman’s achievements in conducting diplomatic efforts for Korea’s independence in the United States without mentioning his name.

President Yoon said, "Since the March 1st Movement, various forms of independence movements have been carried out domestically and abroad," and emphasized, "I believe that all independence movements’ values must be properly evaluated and that their history must be correctly passed down through generations." He added, "After the fall of imperialism, our independence was guaranteed as a result of all these pioneering efforts," emphasizing, "The blood and sweat of independence activists gathered to achieve the country’s independence and became the foundation of the Republic of Korea."

He particularly stated, "No one can monopolize history, and all citizens, and furthermore our descendants, should take pride and honor in the proud history of the Republic of Korea," and promised, "Myself and the government will strive to ensure that the sacrifices and dedication of our ancestors from independence to nation-building and national revival are properly remembered." This is also interpreted as a remark targeting the progressive camp, which has emphasized the greatness of past armed anti-Japanese movements.

However, a senior official from the Presidential Office explained, "It was not that we were automatically guaranteed independence after the fall of Japanese imperialism, but that the freedom and prosperity of the Republic of Korea could be achieved as a result of accumulated capabilities and efforts, and that the current Republic of Korea was created as a result of these pioneering efforts." He added, "This implies the decisions of the two presidents, but I believe there was no need to specifically mention the names of particular leaders in the speech."

Yoon Defines Korea-Japan Relations as Partners Sharing Values Such as Freedom... No Summit Meeting in March

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Since freedom is a shared value, he emphasized that Korea-Japan relations will also develop in a future-oriented manner. President Yoon said, "The March 1st Independence Declaration demanded Japan that our independence is a path for both countries to prosper and that we open a new world based on understanding and empathy," and stressed the normalization of Korea-Japan relations by saying, "The two countries are moving forward together toward a 'new world' overcoming painful pasts."

With the normalization of Korea-Japan relations through security cooperation against North Korean provocations, economic cooperation in industry, finance, and technology, and active private exchanges, the implication is that if trust is built and historical issues are jointly resolved, the two countries can pioneer a brighter and new future.

President Yoon particularly mentioned, "We have become partners who share the values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, pursue common interests, and cooperate for world peace and prosperity," and said, "I look forward to elevating Korea-Japan relations to a more productive and constructive level on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization next year."

However, there will be no summit meeting between President Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida this month. A senior official from the Presidential Office explained, "Last year, Korea-Japan summit meetings resumed after 12 years, and in one year, there were seven active Korea-Japan summit diplomatic exchanges. The spirit of shuttle diplomacy is that the leaders of Korea and Japan can visit each other at any convenient time without being bound by political conditions," and added, "There are no plans or efforts to hold a Korea-Japan summit meeting in March."

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