Hong "Don't know important issues... Study more"
From the left, Hong Jun-pyo and Yoon Seok-youl, preliminary presidential candidates of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol appeared flustered as he failed to provide a proper answer regarding "Operation Plan 5015 (Jakgye 5015)." Jakgye 5015 is one of the wartime operational plans of the ROK-US Combined Forces, focusing on preemptive strikes upon detecting signs of North Korean nuclear weapon use and preparing for sudden changes in North Korea.
On the afternoon of the 26th, during the third TV debate of the People Power Party's presidential primary, when Assemblyman Hong Joon-pyo asked, "If Jakgye 5015 is activated, what is the first thing the president should do?" Yoon replied, "Well, please explain it to me."
When Hong initially asked, "Do you know about Jakgye 5015?" Yoon briefly answered, "Yes," but he was unable to respond to the subsequent questions.
When Hong pointed out, "Didn't you say you knew what (Jakgye 5015) is?" Yoon replied uncertainly, "Isn't that the one activated in case of a southern invasion or emergency?"
Hong then clarified, "No, Jakgye 5015 is the ROK-US Combined Forces Command's plan for wartime situations against North Korea," adding, "What the president must do when it is activated is a very important issue."
In response, Yoon said, "If I were president, I would first communicate with the US president because we must conduct combined ROK-US operations."
Hong explained, "That has already been agreed upon. The core of Jakgye 5015 is to launch a preemptive strike before North Korea invades. What the president must decide is whether to go to war or not."
He continued, "The president's position requires instantaneous decisions and judgments that determine the country's future. From that perspective, if you want to become president, you need to study more."
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