[Yongsan Report] Yoon Focuses on 8.15 Liberation Day Speech: "Rewrite and Revise"

Likely to Unveil New Unification Plan Based on 'Constitution Article 4'
This Year Marks the 30th Anniversary of the National Community Unification Proposal

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a commemorative speech at the '1st Day of North Korean Defectors Commemoration Ceremony' held at the Blue House Guesthouse on the 14th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol is reportedly putting special effort into his Liberation Day address on the 15th. As this year marks the 30th anniversary of the government's presentation of the National Community Unification Plan, the official unification policy since 1994, it is expected that President Yoon will personally unveil a new vision for unification.

The government and the presidential office have been diligently preparing the Liberation Day speech for several months. A presidential office official explained, "The National Community Unification Plan has been maintained despite seven changes in government since 1994. It carries significant weight and influence, making it impossible to completely deny, so the president's mention of unification is essential." However, since the plan was proposed 30 years ago, it is said that President Yoon's advanced considerations will reflect the changes in international relations and inter-Korean relations that have occurred since then.

The focus on this year's Liberation Day address is not only due to the historical symbolism of August 15 but also because it is expected to fully embody President Yoon's concrete vision for unification, which he began to articulate this year. In his March 1st Independence Movement Day speech, President Yoon stated, "Unification that enjoys freedom and prosperity is the completion of the March 1st Movement." Typically, the March 1st speech emphasizes Korea-Japan relations, but this year’s address was notably centered on unification. This shift is analyzed as a response to North Korea defining inter-Korean relations as "hostile relations between two warring states," increasing the need to reaffirm South Korea’s consistent unification will.

Earlier, President Yoon directly mentioned unification on this year’s March 1st, and on July 14th, he attended the first North Korean Defectors Day ceremony, emphasizing, "True free unification will begin when you and the Republic of Korea become one and unification between people is achieved." The unification discourse to be included in this year’s August 15 address is seen as a continuation of the March 1st and July 14th messages, with Article 4 of the Constitution?"The Republic of Korea shall pursue unification and establish and promote peaceful unification policies based on the free democratic fundamental order"?expected to serve as the most important reference point.

A presidential office official said, "President Yoon has been carefully considering the message for several months." The official added, "Various proposals have been submitted through multiple channels, including the Ministry of Unification, and after President Yoon reviews them, the final speech will be completed by integrating and synthesizing these proposals."