Yoon: "Unification Could Come Suddenly... We Must Prepare Coolly"

Ministry of Unification, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and Ministry of Personnel Affairs New Year Work Reports
President Yoon: "We Must Inform Our Citizens and Neighboring Countries of North Korea's Real Situation"
Ministry of the Interior and Safety: "Rapid Delivery of Science-Based Disaster Information Is Important"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 27th, President Yoon Seok-yeol urged, "Unification can come suddenly, so it can only be realized when we are prepared. It is especially necessary to inform our people well about the actual human rights situation and political conditions in North Korea."

President Yoon made these remarks during the New Year work briefing of the Ministry of Unification, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, and the Ministry of Personnel Management held at the Blue House State Guest House. Kim Eun-hye, the chief spokesperson, conveyed this through a written briefing, quoting the president as saying, "The Ministry of Unification is the place that deals not only with future issues but also current problems regarding North Korea, which we do not effectively control."

President Yoon emphasized, "Unification does not just happen. For unification to occur, North Korea, us, and the surrounding circumstances all need to change," adding, "Please prepare with cold, rational judgment rather than an emotional approach. Especially, the Ministry of Unification should conduct more research on North Korea’s political, economic, social, and cultural situations, and ensure that our citizens and neighboring countries can accurately understand the reality of North Korean residents."

Regarding the work briefing of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, he called for the spread of a 'patriotic culture' that goes beyond the traditional definition and role of patriotism. President Yoon stated, "Usually, patriotism and national defense are considered two sides of the same coin, but those who have devoted themselves to protecting the people from enemy invasions and national security, as well as those who have safeguarded citizens’ safety from crimes and disasters, should also be subjects of patriotism," emphasizing, "Most of them are public officials wearing uniforms. More important than the government’s financial support is the spread of a culture where those who have sacrificed and devoted themselves for the nation and its people, along with their families, are properly respected."

President Yoon further said, "Before material and financial compensation, the spread of a culture where the public can respect those who have sacrificed and devoted themselves for national security and public safety, along with their families, is a priority," and added, "Please keep in mind that true patriotic consciousness is when the state grants authority to those recognized as patriots who defended a free democratic country, and the people collectively honor and respect them. This national identity is the essence that makes the country sustainable."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the work briefing of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, President Yoon said, "The foundation of disaster response is a communication system that quickly delivers information to citizens exposed to risks in all aspects of prevention and post-measures," emphasizing, "Accurate and prompt information delivery and sharing based on science is most important." He also stressed the need to clarify the authority and responsibility of disaster response-related departments and to pay attention to the commercialization and industrialization related to disaster safety.

President Yoon also instructed the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to transparently disclose all details of subsidy usage. The president stressed, "All are precious taxes of the people," and added, "It is only natural to transparently reveal who spent even a single 10 won and where."

To the Ministry of Personnel Management, he said, "A proper society is one where excellent talents, despite having better reward systems and conditions, consider working for the public good honorable and gather in public service. A society where public officials work with conviction is a proper society and a sustainable nation," ordering the selection of outstanding talents and the establishment of continuous re-education conditions.