Yoon Strongly Criticizes Im Jong-seok's 'Two Nations Theory'
"If Unification Is Abandoned, Risks on the Korean Peninsula Will Increase"
Despite Opposition Criticism of Czech Nuclear Power Plant Contract, "It's Regrettable"
"Will Steadily Pursue Increasing Doctors and Medical Reform"
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 24th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
President Yoon Suk-yeol strongly criticized former Blue House Chief of Staff Im Jong-seok's 'two Koreas theory' on the 24th, calling it an "unconstitutional idea that betrays the obligation to promote free democratic peaceful unification as mandated by the Constitution of the Republic of Korea," and said, "I simply cannot understand it."
In his opening remarks at the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon pointed out, "Recently, voices have suddenly emerged in some political circles urging not to pursue unification," adding, "Many people who used to talk as if unification was the goal of life abruptly reversed their stance when North Korea advocated the 'two Koreas theory.'
This statement is interpreted as targeting former Chief Im's recent claim that "we should let go of the obsession with unification and accept two separate states," advocating the 'two Koreas theory.' Former Chief Im led inter-Korean policy, including serving as the chairman of the inter-Korean summit preparation committee during the Moon Jae-in administration.
President Yoon said, "They condemned those who disagreed with their unification claims as anti-unification and anti-national forces, but who can accept their 180-degree turnaround overnight?" He criticized, "In a situation where North Korea insists on a 'hostile two Koreas theory' even at the risk of nuclear attacks, is a 'peaceful two Koreas theory' really possible?"
President Yoon emphasized, "They are advocating to 'abandon unification and choose peace,' calling to 'abolish the Ministry of Unification' and 'delete the provisions on the territory of the Republic of Korea and the promotion of peaceful unification from the Constitution,'" adding, "If unification is abandoned, conflicts and confrontations between the South and North will intensify, and security risks on the Korean Peninsula will increase."
President Yoon explained, "The government will build true peace based on strong power and principles, not empty words and rhetoric," adding, "This is by no means unification by force. The government will strengthen efforts to approach a free unification that makes all members of the Korean Peninsula happy."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 24th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Regarding recent criticism from opposition parties calling the government's efforts to secure the Czech Dukovany nuclear power plant construction project a "loss-making contract," President Yoon described it as "truly deplorable." He said, "The government is only supporting companies' bids and participation in projects, so which company would undertake a loss-making business?" and criticized, "Companies and partner firms are working desperately, and the government supports them, so how can they be obstructed and blocked like this?"
On the pressing issue of medical service gaps causing public anxiety, President Yoon maintained his existing stance, saying, "We will steadily promote medical reform along with increasing the number of doctors." He emphasized, "Looking at cases of delayed transfers and 'emergency room roundabouts' during this holiday period, most involve microsurgery, premature births, newborns, and cerebrovascular patients, which fundamentally stems from an absolute shortage of essential medical specialists," adding, "Without medical reform, it is impossible to rebuild a regionally balanced essential medical system."
At the Cabinet meeting that day, President Yoon explained, that a special provision will be established to allow local governments to use disaster management funds for emergency medical care, saying, "this will clarify the basis for using disaster management funds to support emergency medical institutions and medical personnel, enabling rapid support of human and material resources needed in local medical fields."
President Yoon also referred to the U.S. Federal Reserve's decision on the 19th to cut the benchmark interest rate by 0.5 percentage points in a 'big cut' for the first time in four and a half years, stating, "It is evaluated as a pivot in monetary policy, which had maintained high interest rates to counter global inflation." He added, "If global security and supply chain instability do not worsen, inflation is expected to stabilize at around 2%."
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