Yoon: "Elevating the US-Korea Alliance to a Nuclear-Based Level"... Promoting the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration Projects Next Year (Comprehensive)

"Establishing a Posture for Agile Response to North Korean Nuclear Threats"
Proposal to Establish the 80th Anniversary of Liberation Commemoration Committee Submitted to the Cabinet Meeting
Urging Swift Recovery and Thorough Preparedness for Heavy Rain Damage

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 16th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 16th that during the recent Korea-US summit held in conjunction with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) meeting last week, the two leaders adopted a joint statement approving the 'Korea-US Combined Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations Guidelines.' He said, "Finally, the 'integrated extended deterrence system jointly operated by Korea and the US' has been firmly established," and added, "The Korea-US alliance has been solidly elevated to a nuclear-based alliance in both name and reality."

At the Cabinet meeting he presided over that day, President Yoon emphasized, "By specially assigning the US nuclear assets to the Korean Peninsula mission regardless of wartime or peacetime, we have now established a posture to respond swiftly and effectively to any type of North Korean nuclear threat." President Yoon departed on the 8th to attend the Washington summit commemorating the 75th anniversary of NATO, the world's largest security alliance, and returned on the night of the 12th. Prior to visiting Washington D.C., where the NATO summit was held, he became the first sitting president to visit the Indo-Pacific Command located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

President Yoon explained, "The Indo-Pacific Command plays a very important role in the security of the Korean Peninsula as well," and added, "Through this visit, I directly confirmed the extensive intelligence operations and operational status, and received an in-depth briefing on the Indo-Pacific Command's readiness and cooperation status with us for the security of the Korean Peninsula."

He continued, "The 32 NATO member countries unanimously condemned the illegal military closeness between Russia and North Korea through the 'Washington Summit Declaration' and emphasized the necessity of cooperation between NATO and Indo-Pacific countries," and noted, "Institutionalizing cooperation between NATO and Indo-Pacific partner countries is a meaningful achievement."

He also introduced that during the NATO summit, he held 13 bilateral meetings with leaders from 12 countries and the NATO Secretary General. Regarding his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, he said they agreed to systematize information sharing and strengthen cooperation between Korea and NATO concerning North Korean weapons used on the Ukrainian battlefield. On the signing of the 'Airworthiness Certification Recognition' officially acknowledging the flight safety of domestically certified Korean aircraft by NATO, he expressed expectations that "defense industry cooperation in the aviation sector between our country and NATO will accelerate further."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 16th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, President Yoon announced that in celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation next year, "We will jointly create commemorative projects that showcase the 80 years of Korea's liberation history and the vision of a global pivotal state." He urged, "Today, as we reflect once again on how much sacrifice and dedication were made for the freedom and prosperity we enjoy, I ask the people to unite their strength so that the still unfinished 'advance toward freedom' can take even stronger steps forward." At this Cabinet meeting, the presidential decree titled 'Regulations on the Establishment and Operation of the Commemorative Project Promotion Committee for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation' was submitted to promote nationwide commemorative projects for the 80th anniversary of liberation.

Yoon: "Mobilize All Available Personnel and Equipment for Recovery from Heavy Rain Damage"

President Yoon instructed swift recovery and thorough preparedness for the recent heavy rain damage, promising to expedite practical support and restoration efforts in the affected areas. He said, "I offer my condolences to the deceased and extend my sympathies to the bereaved families and those affected," and directed, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, along with related agencies, must promptly implement support measures for the special disaster zones declared yesterday and mobilize all available personnel and equipment for damage recovery."

In his closing remarks that day, President Yoon emphasized, "Since the monsoon, heavy rains, and typhoons are expected to continue, we must prepare in advance to minimize casualties," and reiterated, "Even basic measures, along with a rapid notification system and networking, can reduce human casualties," according to a briefing by Presidential Office spokesperson Jung Hye-jun.

Jeong Hye-jeon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, is holding a briefing on current issues at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 16th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, President Yoon stated, "Flood damage is the most terrifying disaster that covers the entire country among various disasters, so prior preparation is paramount," and added, "It is important to quickly evacuate the elderly and vulnerable through community centers and prevent entry into dangerous areas when disasters occur."

Finally, he said, "It is very common sense and simple to block access to dangerous areas and rescue people to safe zones once rainfall reaches a certain level, but this is often neglected," and added, "Administrative personnel such as the police must identify dangerous areas like underground passages and local embankments and levees in advance for prevention, and promotional education on disaster response guidelines must also be conducted."