Yoon: "Goodwill Peace Is Fake... Must Be Fully Prepared" (Comprehensive)

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On China's Suspension of Short-Term Visas, 'Must Clearly Explain as a Measure to Protect Nationals'

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Kyunghwan] President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 11th stated, "Peace that relies on the goodwill of the other party cannot be sustained," and instructed to be fully prepared for the strong exercise of the right to self-defense. President Yoon explained that countries that pursued peace through strength did not disappear from history but rather advanced civilization. He also mentioned "the reality of human rights violations in North Korea" as a justification for maintaining military superiority.

During the morning briefing from the Ministry of National Defense on New Year's tasks, President Yoon gave these instructions, saying, "Countries that relied on goodwill for temporary, unsustainable fake peace have historically not been sustainable."

President Yoon Suk-yeol received the 2023 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense work reports on the morning of the 11th at the Blue House State Guesthouse.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The briefing held jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was attended by about 150 people, including Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, key officials from various ministries, civilian experts, and policy demanders. Participants included North Korean economy experts, field experts working in cybersecurity firms, economic security experts, industry experts well-versed in semiconductors, North Korean nuclear and missile experts, drone experts, and defense industry officials, engaging in on-site focused discussions.

President Yoon criticized the previous administration's declaration of the end of the war, emphasizing, "We must break away from peace based on the goodwill of the other party. As a country that pursues peace, we do not wage aggressive wars, but we must be fully prepared to exercise strong autonomous rights against provocations that threaten freedom and peace."

He also mentioned strengthening military training. President Yoon said, "Training in the military is not a matter of education," adding, "Education and training for soldiers should be regarded as the most important operation itself." He judged that the training system from 30 years ago, which has fallen into a rut, cannot be applied now, stating, "Physical training that makes soldiers suffer should not be considered training. I mean effective exercises to prepare for war."

The Ministry of National Defense also reported to President Yoon under the theme of ‘realizing peace through strength,’ presenting plans to ▲build overwhelming response capabilities against asymmetric threats such as North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles ▲lay the foundation to become one of the world’s top four defense exporters. To overwhelmingly respond to asymmetric threats such as North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missiles, they plan to pursue six tasks: ▲expand independent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities ▲strengthen the Korean-style three-axis system capabilities and posture ▲enhance North Korean drone response capabilities ▲accelerate the establishment of the Strategic Command ▲dramatically improve the execution of U.S. extended deterrence ▲strengthen combined U.S.-ROK exercises and training.

In the Ministry of Foreign Affairs briefing, the suspension of short-term visa issuance for Koreans by China was mentioned. President Yoon explained that China’s measure is not a diplomatic or economic trade issue but a step to protect its own citizens. He said, "China has taken retaliatory measures such as suspending the issuance of short-term visas to our citizens, causing diplomatic tensions between the two countries, but there is no need for that."

Despite it being a foreign and security affairs briefing, President Yoon also urged efforts to revitalize the economy. He reiterated Minister Park’s remark, "I will make all overseas diplomatic missions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs bases for our exports," emphasizing, "Overseas diplomatic missions are not just branches of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs but branches of the government. The government must work with the mindset that it is a strategic department of companies."

In line with this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized expanding overseas advancement in infrastructure construction, nuclear power, and defense sectors to achieve results in economic diplomacy. They also presented key tasks for 2023, including ▲the inaugural year of implementing the Indo-Pacific strategy ▲principled approach to North Korea ▲economy-centered diplomacy.

The Ministry of National Defense also devised an export strategy to revitalize the economy. To become one of the world’s top four defense exporters, they plan to execute a systematic export strategy including ▲strengthening whole-of-government support to effectively respond to purchasing countries’ demands ▲enhancing post-sales to promote additional purchases ▲creating a challenging defense R&D environment, and to build sustainable defense cooperation relationships with countries such as Poland and the UAE.