Yoon Chairs First Session of Democracy Summit... "We Must Begin a New Journey with Solidarity and Innovation"

Yoon "Facing Major Challenges to Democracy Such as Authoritarianism and Fake News"
Freedom, Human Rights, and Rule of Law Are the Core of Democracy
Korea Will Closely Cooperate with the International Community to Protect Democracy

President Yoon Suk-yeol urged on the 29th, "We must embark on a new journey to revive the retreating democracy through arduous innovation and solidarity."

In his keynote speech at the first session of the 2nd Democracy Summit plenary meeting titled 'Prosperity with Economic Growth,' which he presided over that afternoon, President Yoon stated, "The world is currently facing various crises and challenges."

First, President Yoon assessed the recent international community by saying, "Geopolitical conflicts and competition for interests have fragmented the international community and significantly weakened multilateral cooperation," adding, "In particular, democracy, which led humanity's freedom and prosperity in the last century, is facing a serious challenge."

He continued, "In addition to the polarization of authoritarian forces that outright deny the norm-based international order, fake democracy represented by anti-intellectualism is rising globally."

He criticized, "Internationally, attempts to change the status quo by force threaten freedom, and fake news spreading omnidirectionally online threatens democracy that guarantees freedom," emphasizing, "This threatens our freedom by threatening democracy."

Furthermore, he stressed, "Democracy is a community decision-making system to protect freedom," and underscored, "False information and agitation distort the people's decision-making and undermine the essential systems of democracy, such as elections."

He also emphasized the importance of the rule of law to protect liberal democracy. President Yoon mentioned, "Restrictions on individual freedom must be made according to laws and norms that apply to everyone, and that is the rule of law," adding, "Liberal democracy, which guarantees individual freedom, can be realized through the rule of law."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon also said, "Since my inauguration, I have emphasized freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. These are the core elements that make our democracy function," and elaborated, "It is clear that democracy is the only system and mechanism that protects and guarantees humanity's freedom."

He expressed expectations that the 2nd Democracy Summit would be an opportunity to strengthen the international community's joint efforts toward freedom and democracy, pledging that Korea will play a leading role.

President Yoon stated, "The process through which Korea has developed, like human history, has been a continuous journey toward freedom, and efforts to protect freedom are still ongoing," adding, "Having preserved freedom with the help of the international community over 70 years ago, Korea now fulfills its role and responsibility as an 'advocate of freedom' in the international community."

In particular, he said, "As the host country of the next Democracy Summit, Korea will fulfill its responsibilities and roles to further strengthen democracy that guarantees freedom, the rule of law, and parliamentary democracy represented by representative democracy," promising, "We will closely cooperate with the international community, strongly support solidarity to firmly protect democracy, and take action."

Earlier, President Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden announced through a joint summit statement that Korea will host the next Democracy Summit.