Yoon Suk-yeol: "Preemptive Strike on North Korea is a Very Important Attitude for Peace and Security on the Korean Peninsula"

"When Provocative Acts Are Certain, Declare the Command Has the Capability for a Fatal Strike"

Yoon Seok-yeol, People Power Party presidential candidate / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju, doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 26th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated regarding the preemptive strike theory against North Korea, "It does not mean that we will strike immediately, but when an aggressive provocation is certain, it is a declaration of our capability and willingness to deliver a fatal blow to missile launch bases and the command units that ordered the provocation."

On the same day, Yoon attended a policy debate hosted by the People Power Party's Central Election Committee Global Vision Committee and said, "Declaring such a willingness is a very important attitude for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula."

Earlier, at a New Year's press conference held on the 11th, Yoon claimed in response to questions about North Korea's hypersonic missile development and missile defense plans, "In case of signs of provocation, there is no other way but a preemptive strike using the Kill-Chain." Subsequently, the Democratic Party criticized this statement as a "reckless perception that would destroy the peace clock on the Korean Peninsula," pointing out that it was made without deep understanding or consideration of diplomacy and security.

Yoon further said, "Freedom and human rights, democracy, and the rule of law to guarantee these are values shared by most modern civilized countries," adding, "We cooperate with such countries and international organizations, compete in economic and diplomatic fields, and build a global cooperative system." He also noted, "There are totalitarian forces that undermine this," emphasizing, "Countries that cherish the values of freedom and human rights and operate their governments based on democracy and the rule of law do not go to war with each other."

Finally, Yoon added, "Protecting our national interests is important, but we also received a lot of aid in the past," and stated, "We must fulfill responsible roles through Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs and others."