GOESAN — President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea issued a stern warning on Wednesday, stating that any provocation by North Korea would be met with an immediate and overwhelming response, especially in the lead-up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for April. This announcement was made during a commissioning ceremony for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the Army Cadet Military School, located 114 kilometers southeast of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, there is a high probability that North Korea will engage in various provocations and psychological warfare aimed at creating social confusion and dividing public opinion before the upcoming general elections. "At times like this, the military must unite with the people to firmly defeat North Korea's scheme to sway the Republic of Korea," he stated, referring to South Korea by its official name. Yoon underscored the importance of achieving "peace through strength," emphasizing the necessity of an overwhelming capability and readiness posture rather than relying on the presumed good intentions of others for peace.
Yoon highlighted the unique threat posed by North Korea, noting it as the only country in the world that has legalized the preemptive use of nuclear weapons. He pointed out that North Korea continues to make nuclear threats and conduct missile tests while designating South Korea as its primary enemy and threatening to occupy it completely. "Our government and military will maintain a strong and firm readiness posture so that North Korea will not dare challenge the Republic of Korea, and in the event North Korea provokes, respond immediately and overwhelmingly," Yoon declared.
The president also vowed to complete the integration of the nuclear extended deterrence regime between South Korea and the United States through the Nuclear Consultative Group and to expedite the development of the homegrown three-axis system. This system is designed to counter North Korean nuclear threats from their inception, incorporating anti-missile defense, a strategy to incapacitate the North Korean leadership, and a preemptive strike capability.
Furthermore, Yoon committed to enhancing security cooperation between South Korea, the U.S., and Japan and to strengthening solidarity with the international community, all based on a robust South Korea-U.S. alliance.
OKCHEON — President Yoon Suk Yeol visited the birthplace of Yook Young-su, the assassinated wife of former conservative President Park Chung-hee, on Wednesday, marking a significant moment of remembrance. The visit was made to the house in Okcheon, 149 kilometers south of Seoul, where Yoon was welcomed by a large gathering of local residents.According to Yonhap News Agency, President Yoon engaged with the community by shaking hands with the residents one by one before laying flowers and offering a silent tribute to the former first lady. Yook Young-su was tragically killed in August 1974 during a failed assassination attempt on her husband, carried out by a pro-Pyongyang ethnic-Korean individual from Japan.
During his visit, President Yoon toured the house and signed a guestbook, leaving a message that underscored his respect and remembrance for Yook Young-su's compassionate nature and her efforts to support the underprivileged and children. "I will remember the virtuous will of first lady Yook Young-su, who loved the less privileged and children, and warmly look after the people," wrote Yoon.
This visit marks the first time a sitting president has paid homage at the birthplace of the former first lady, as noted by the presidential spokesperson.