Yoon: "Overwhelming Response to North Korean Provocation... North-Russia Treaty Era-Defying Actions" (Comprehensive)

Daegu 74th Anniversary of the Korean War
"If We Become Stronger, a Unified Korea Is Not a Distant Future"
"We Will Do Our Best to Spread Veterans' Culture in Society"

President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee are saluting the national flag at the '74th Anniversary of the Korean War' event held at Daegu EXCO on the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 25th, "Our military will maintain a firm readiness posture to ensure that North Korea never dares to threaten the Republic of Korea under any circumstances, and will respond overwhelmingly and decisively to any provocations from North Korea." He criticized the recent treaty signed between North Korea and Russia on a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ as a "anachronistic act that goes against the progress of history."

At the ‘74th Anniversary of the Korean War’ event held at EXCO in Daegu on the morning of the same day, President Yoon said, "Peace is not maintained by words but through strong power and an ironclad security posture, which is the true path to achieving peace," adding, "If we become stronger and unite as one, a unified Korea of freedom and prosperity will not be a distant future."

This year’s event focused on battles in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, such as the pivotal battles of Dabudong, Yeongcheon, and Pohang during the Korean War, and was held in Daegu to express gratitude to veterans residing in the provinces. It was the first time the government’s Korean War event was held outside the capital, and Daegu served as the temporary capital for 33 days during the early stages of the war.

Yoon: "We Will Firmly Protect the Republic of Korea Against North Korean Provocations"

In his commemorative speech, President Yoon emphasized, "After the war, all that remained was a land of despair, but our great people never gave up," and continued, "Inheriting the will of the patriotic martyrs who defended the free Republic of Korea with their blood, we have achieved a miraculous industrialization and are now advancing as a model liberal democracy and a global pivotal nation." He explained that the national income, which was only 67 dollars after the war, is now approaching the 40,000-dollar era, and that Korea surpassed Japan for the first time last year.

He went on to say, "While we have been advancing on the path of freedom and prosperity, North Korea has stubbornly chosen the path of regression, remaining the last frozen land on Earth," adding, "They have not hesitated to carry out vile and irrational provocations such as enhancing nuclear and missile capabilities and releasing filthy balloons. Last week, they signed a ‘Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ treaty with Russia, which initiated the war in Ukraine, and even promised to strengthen military and economic cooperation in direct violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions."

In response, President Yoon pledged, "We will firmly protect the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea and the lives of our people against North Korea’s provocations and threats," and promised, "On the occasion of the 70th anniversary, based on a stronger and more powerful ROK-U.S. alliance, we will strengthen solidarity with countries that share the values of freedom to protect our freedom and peace even more firmly." He also added, "Such efforts are the way to repay the noble sacrifices and dedication of our heroes," and stated, "The government will do its utmost to honor Korean War veterans with the highest respect and to further spread the culture of veterans’ affairs throughout our society."

President Yoon personally awarded the Medal of Honor to the bereaved families of the late Sergeant Jeong Jeong-tae, who destroyed enemy tanks with grenades during the Korean War, and the late Corporal Gu Nam-tae, who captured a spy infiltrating friendly lines during the 1950 Noryangjin battle. The event was attended by over 1,300 people, including Korean War veterans, key government officials and military leaders, diplomatic envoys from UN allied countries, members of the National Assembly, and ordinary citizens.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a greeting at the '6.25 Korean War Veterans Invitation Reception' held at Daegu EXCO on the 25th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

After the Korean War event, President Yoon and the First Lady held a reception to console veterans from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. In his greeting, President Yoon explained, "Until now, the central government’s Korean War commemorative events were mainly held in Seoul, but starting this year, we decided to hold them in the regions," adding, "Especially, we invited heroes from the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions who reversed the tide of the war with victories in battles around the Nakdong River during the Korean War."

President Yoon called out the names of veterans Lee Dong-geun, Ko Seok-bok, Lee Ha-young, and Kim Chun-won, saying, "Thanks to your brave fight against the North Korean communist invasion 70 years ago, the Republic of Korea overcame national crises and preserved freedom," and emphasized, "I once again express my respect to all the heroes who devoted their precious youth to protect the free Republic of Korea."

He also said, "Although more than 70 years have passed, North Korea continues to provoke the Republic of Korea at this very moment, threatening our freedom and peace," and added, "Firmly protecting the Republic of Korea from North Korean threats is the way to repay the sacrifices and dedication of the heroes who gave their youth to protect the country over 70 years ago," according to a written briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung.

The reception was attended by Son Hee-won, president of the Korean War Veterans Association, veterans, and heads of veterans’ organizations. From the government and local authorities, Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Kang Jeong-ae, Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, and Mayor of Daegu Hong Joon-pyo were present. About 100 people from the Presidential Office, including National Security Office Director Jang Ho-jin, Deputy Director In Seong-hwan, Chief of Public Relations Lee Do-woon, and Chief of Civil Society Affairs Jeon Gwang-sam, also attended.