President Yoon: "We Will Strengthen Cooperation with Key Mineral Partner Countries"

"South Korea-US Alliance, Elevated to a Next-Level Nuclear-Based Alliance"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a congratulatory speech at the 2024 Culture Future Report hosted by Munhwa Ilbo, held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized on the 27th, "We are now in an era where security issues are directly linked to the national economy," and stated, "We will strengthen cooperation with key mineral security partnership member countries to secure a stable supply chain of strategic materials."

President Yoon made these remarks while attending the 'Culture Future Report 2024' event held at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon. He said, "The current international situation surrounding us is very severe."

He pointed out, "The unstable global security situation is reinforcing nationalism and protectionism, threatening the trade order based on free trade," adding, "For us, with an export-oriented economic structure and high external dependence, this poses an even greater threat."

President Yoon noted, "Challenges from totalitarian and authoritarian forces against the rule-based international order continue unabated, and they do not hesitate to change the status quo by force." He added, "The Russia-Ukraine war, ongoing for over 900 days, is showing signs of escalation, and in the Middle East, the Israel-Hamas conflict has lasted more than 10 months, with a tense situation that could escalate at any moment."

He further explained, "The government of the Republic of Korea and I are striving to lead the international community's efforts to overcome the global complex crisis based on the national policy principles of freedom and solidarity."

Referring to his attendance at the NATO summit held last month in Washington D.C., USA, President Yoon said, "Our country has been invited for three consecutive years as a member of the Indo-Pacific partner countries because the security of Europe and Asia is closely linked, and free forces must closely cooperate to solve important international issues."

In particular, President Yoon mentioned that during his visit to Washington, a special mission for the Korean Peninsula was assigned to the U.S. nuclear assets, and a joint operation system for nuclear and non-nuclear assets between South Korea and the U.S. has begun to operate. He stated, "Now, the ROK-U.S. alliance has been elevated to a definite nuclear-based alliance on a level different from the past."

President Yoon added, "As our government's global pivotal state diplomacy achieves results one by one, South Korea's status in the international community is rising further," and said, "We must take one step further to achieve a greater leap for the Republic of Korea and continue to play a responsible role and contribution in the international community. We must overcome the challenges ahead and advance toward a greater Korea."