President Yoon's Foreign Media Interview
"If China Fails to Fulfill Responsibilities, It Will Cause Influx of Military Assets in the Region"
On USFK Role in Taiwan Contingency: "Concerned About North Korea Exploiting Situation for Military Actions"
Customized Support for Tesla Gigafactory Attraction
On Cargo Solidarity's Collective Transport Refusal: "Militant Union Culture Is a Problem in Korean Society"
[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] President Yoon Suk-yeol warned on the 29th, "If North Korea proceeds with any kind of new nuclear test, it will face an unprecedented joint response." He also emphasized to China, "China not only has the responsibility but also the capability to exert influence so that North Korea can halt its weapons development."
According to the Presidential Office, President Yoon stated in an interview with a major overseas media outlet that concerns about the possibility of a seventh nuclear test by North Korea have grown due to its recent successive provocations. He said, "We will take responses that have never been seen before." This is interpreted as indicating that if North Korea proceeds with a seventh nuclear test, escalating the security crisis on the Korean Peninsula, a strong response will be taken through military cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan.
He also urged China, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, to fulfill its responsibilities regarding the North Korean issue. President Yoon said about North Korea's repeated military demonstrations, "What is certain is that China has the capability to exert influence over North Korea, and China has the responsibility to intervene in this process," emphasizing, "Whether China exercises this influence for peace and stability depends on the Chinese government."
The foreign media also reported that President Yoon said in the interview that if China does not fulfill its responsibilities, it will lead to the influx of military assets into the region. However, he added that although South Korea and the United States have agreed to deploy more U.S. strategic assets such as aircraft carriers and long-range bombers to the Korean Peninsula, they do not wish to change the 28,500 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea.
Regarding Japan's enhancement of weapons such as long-range missiles and the move to establish an integrated command of the Self-Defense Forces, he said, "The Japanese government believes it cannot remain silent while North Korea's missiles fly over its territory."
On the Taiwan issue, he maintained the principle that "it should be resolved according to international norms and rules." President Yoon stated, "We firmly oppose any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo."
However, regarding the role of South Korea or U.S. forces stationed in Korea in the event of a Taiwan contingency, he predicted, "While the overall security situation must be considered, the most urgent concern will likely be North Korea's military actions aimed at exploiting this situation."
President Yoon also stated that the government will provide tailored support for attracting Tesla's Gigafactory. Referring to his phone call with Elon Musk, Tesla's CEO, on the 24th, he said, "If Tesla, SpaceX, and other companies are considering additional investments in Korea, such as building a Gigafactory, the government will do its best to support those investments."
President Yoon also conveyed to CEO Musk that the Yoon administration's labor policy is to establish the rule of law to eliminate risk factors from Korea's unfair labor practices.
Referring to recent cases such as the Cargo Solidarity's collective transport refusal, he criticized, saying, "The militant union culture is a serious problem in Korean society," and criticized past governments for causing a vicious cycle of illegal strikes and unlawful union actions through frequent compromises with strong unions.
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