Yoon Suk-yeol not looking for regime change in North Korea

Politics

Published: 17 Aug. 2022, 17:06

Yoon Suk-yeol not looking for regime change in North Korea

President Yoon Suk-yeol holds his first full press conference to mark his 100th day in office at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk-yeol said that he doesn't want regime change in North Korea but stopped short of offering security guarantees to the Kim Jong-un regime.

In his first full-fledged press conference Wednesday, Yoon was asked if his administration could provide security guarantees for North Korea.

"While we can't guarantee the security of the regime," he replied, "the South Korean government and I myself do not want any unreasonable or forced change to the status quo in North Korea."

The hour-long press conference at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul marked Yoon's 100 days in office.

"What is important is the establishment of a sustainable peace between the two Koreas," he added, "and if North Korea changes naturally as a result of our economic and diplomatic support, we would welcome that change."

In a Liberation Day address on Monday, Yoon detailed his administration's "audacious initiative," a comprehensive roadmap to improve North Korea's economy in stages if Pyongyang takes significant steps toward denuclearization.

During Wednesday's press conference, Yoon stressed that this proposal does not ask North Korea to fully denuclearize first, only to be rewarded afterwards. Instead, he said, if North Korea "shows a firm intention, we will do whatever we can to help" in a phased manner.

Yoon said his plan is aimed at "providing diplomatic support for normalizing North-U.S. relations" and encourage discussions on disarmament of conventional weapons systems. It will also support food exchange programs, agricultural technology, medical care, infrastructure projects and international investment.

While offering an olive branch to Pyongyang to resume negotiations, Yoon said he is not interested in a summit with North Korean leader Kim if it's only a photo opportunity.

"Since my election campaign process, I said that we needed dialogue with North Korea," said Yoon. "However, a summit between the leaders of the two Koreas and working-level dialogue should not be a mere political show but be beneficial to securing some substantive peace on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia."

Despite the North's continued advances in weapons of mass destruction, Yoon said that South Korea is not considering developing its own nuclear weapons, stressing that the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) is an "essential premise for lasting world peace."

"No matter what the circumstances, strengthening extended deterrence and making it more effective will be the priority," said Yoon. "This extended deterrence will likely change its form slightly if the North Korean nuclear threat is advanced, but we will not give up on the NPT regime and protect it until the end."

In opening remarks, Yoon described his administration's accomplishments since his inauguration on May 10 and future plans.

"In diplomacy and security, we have made responsible efforts to contribute to the peace and prosperity of the international community based on universal values such as freedom, human rights and the rule of law," said Yoon.

He highlighted his government's efforts to "strengthen the weakened Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance" and "swiftly push for normalization of the deteriorated relations between South Korea and Japan."

Yoon reiterated his administration plans to use the 1998 joint declaration by Korean President Kim Dae-jung and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi to build "future-oriented" bilateral relations with Tokyo.

The issue of compensation of Korean forced labors during World War II "has already been finalized by the Supreme Court of Korea," said Yoon, adding that the victims are expected to be compensated according to the law.

"However, in the process of enforcing the decision, we are now deeply deliberating a way for the plaintiffs to receive compensation without any conflict over Japan's sovereignty concerns," he added.

In late 2018, the Korean Supreme Court made landmark rulings ordering Japanese companies to individually compensate Korean victims of forced labor during Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. The Japanese government has been opposed to the liquidation of these companies' assets in Korea to compensate the forced labor victims.

Yoon said he is "positive" that "history issues can be resolved more smoothly and swiftly through concessions and understanding as the two countries strengthen their future-oriented cooperative relationship.

"How can people without a future sit down and settle the past?" he asked. "I believe that the relationship between Korea and Japan — especially in light of the current global security situation in Northeast Asia and in terms of economic security and supply chain networks — has become one that requires close cooperation for the future."

To a question on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Yoon said it will be "difficult to confirm" if Korea plans on providing military aid to Ukraine. He added, "The Republic of Korea, together with the international community, is making every effort to provide various [kinds of] support to Ukraine."

President Yoon Suk-yeol takes questions from reporters in a press conference to mark his 100th day in office at the Yongsan presidential office in central Seoul on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Yoon addressed his low approval ratings in public opinion polls, which sunk to below 30 percent before reaching 100 days in office, unusually low for a president so early in his administration.

"What's more important is to humbly uphold the public sentiment shown through the opinion polls rather than the approval rating itself," said Yoon. "I plan to take a closer look at whether there is a problem and what kind of issues there were in communication."

He also noted criticism over how he handled personnel appointments, especially in the wake of the resignation of his education minister earlier this month.

"I think that personnel appointments is something that needs to be carefully inspected in order to support the people's livelihoods and should not be done with a political purpose or for the sake of reviving approval ratings, so it will take some time," said Yoon.

When asked about suspended People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Lee Jun-seok's public attacks on the president and his associates following the PPP's launch of a new leadership to replace him, Yoon said, "I don't comment on other politicians' remarks."

Likewise, Yoon said that some people around him told him to halt his "doorstepping" sessions with media, which have been seen as contributing to his low approval ratings because of his unfiltered remarks.

Yoon said he will continue his nearly daily press briefing sessions with the media as long as the public demands it.

"There were a lot of people who were worried about me over my vacation and told me to quit the doorstepping sessions right away," said Yoon. "But that is the most important reason I moved the presidential office to Yongsan. It is part of the process of creating a new culture that shows the president as is, even with the criticisms. Even if there are shortcomings, I think the people will understand and believe there will be improvements in the process."

He was referring to his decision to move the presidential office from the secluded Blue House in Gwanghwamun, central Seoul, to Yongsan District at the beginning of his term in keeping with a pledge to make the president more accessible to the public and media.

Yoon also highlighted his government's efforts toward deregulation and reviving the economy through efforts such as supporting the semiconductor, space, biotech and defense industries "to find a future growth engine for our economy."

He added, "The most important thing in running state affairs is the will of the people."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]