Yoon calls Japan a ‘partner’ on security and economy in Liberation Day address

Politics

Published: 15 Aug. 2023, 11:25

Yoon calls Japan a ‘partner’ on security and economy in Liberation Day address

President Yoon Suk-yeol, center left, and first lady Kim Keon-hee wave the Korean national flag at a ceremony celebrating the 78th Liberation Day in an auditorium at Ewha Womans University in Seodaemun District, central Seoul Tuesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk-yeol called Korea and Japan "partners" who share similar values and interests, also stressing the importance of trilateral security cooperation with the United States in his Liberation Day address Tuesday.

"Korea and Japan are now partners who share universal values and pursue common interests," Yoon said. "As partners that cooperate on security and the economy, Korea and Japan will be able to jointly contribute to peace and prosperity across the globe while collaborating and exchanging in a future-oriented manner."

Some 2,000 people attended the 78th Liberation Day ceremony, marking Korea's independence from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule on Aug. 15, 1945, held at a Ewha Womans University auditorium in Seodaemun District, central Seoul.

Yoon noted the significance of the growing trilateral security cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

"In order to fundamentally block North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the Republic of Korea, the United States and Japan must closely cooperate on reconnaissance assets and share North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles data in real time," Yoon said.

He noted that the seven rear bases provided to the United Nations Command (UNC) by Japan "serve as the greatest deterrent which keeps the North from invading the South."

The seven rear bases across Japan include Yokota Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Base and Kadena Air Base.

"A renewed North Korean invasion will trigger an automatic and immediate intervention and retaliation by the UNC, and the UNC-rear in Japan is sufficiently equipped with necessary land, sea and air capabilities," Yoon added.

He said the summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to be held at Camp David in Maryland on Friday "will set a new milestone in trilateral cooperation contributing to peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region."

Yoon added that the security of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region is "deeply linked to the security in the Atlantic and Europe," calling for cooperation with NATO.

Yoon also said South Korea will "steadfastly" implement the so-called "audacious initiative," referring to his administration's policy on North Korea, "to build peace by overwhelming force."

He said his government "will also work together with the international community to make the North Korean regime stop advancing its nuclear and missile programs and embark on a path to dialogue and cooperation, which will lead to better livelihoods of its people."

Yoon said that South Korea will "conduct a responsible and contributive diplomacy in all regions around the world" to "contribute to freedom, peace and prosperity globally."

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