South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stated, “There are anti-state forces within our society that are covertly working to threaten our liberal democracy.”
During the 2024 Ulchi and the 36th Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Office that morning, Yoon noted, “North Korea will mobilize these forces from the very beginning of any conflict to escalate violence, manipulate public opinion, and engage in propaganda and agitation to create national confusion and divide public sentiment.”
“We must actively devise ways to block this confusion and division while strengthening the resolve of the entire nation to resist,” he added.
Yoon emphasized the need for a robust security posture, reiterating his concerns about internal anti-state forces that frequently threaten liberal democracy.
He highlighted the necessity to enhance defensive measures against North Korea’s ambiguous provocations, which include the dissemination of misinformation, fake news, and cyberattacks.
The meeting was held in the format of the Ulchi Cabinet meeting, timed to coincide with the beginning of the U.S.-South Korea joint military exercise known as Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS). Yoon, dressed in a blue civil defense uniform, presided over the Cabinet session.
UFS is a training exercise designed to evaluate the government’s emergency preparedness plans for national crises and to improve readiness for wartime and total war mobilization.
Yoon noted that the wars in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East serve as stark reminders that war can break out unexpectedly. He further pointed out that the nature of warfare has fundamentally changed from its traditional form.
He elaborated that modern warfare has transformed into a hybrid model, integrating elements of conventional and irregular warfare alongside cyber warfare and psychological tactics involving the use of “fake news.”
Yoon observed that distinguishing between military and civilian domains becomes challenging in such circumstances, necessitating a unified national mobilization posture where all members collaborate seamlessly.
He mentioned that the exercise would concentrate on perfecting integrated procedures to address various crises, including North Korea’s gray zone provocations, military complex attacks, and assaults on critical national infrastructure.
H also urged thorough protective measures and enhanced response training for critical national infrastructure, including transportation, communication, electricity, water supply, and nuclear power plants.
Yoon also called for a comprehensive approach to the nationwide civil defense drills scheduled this Thursday, emphasizing the need to prepare thoroughly for potential North Korean airstrikes. He requested, “I ask all citizens to participate in vehicle movement restrictions and evacuation drills actively.”
Moreover, Yoon expressed his expectation that “this year, we plan to significantly expand the U.S.-South Korea joint field maneuver exercises, which will enhance our joint operational capabilities and showcase the strength of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.”
He stated, “Today’s freedom and prosperity enjoyed by the Republic of Korea were not achieved without cost,” adding, “Only a strong security posture can protect our citizens’ safety and our liberal democracy.”
Regarding domestic issues, he urged preparations for implementing the second semester of the Neulbom School program.
Yoon announced that starting in the second semester, the Neulbom School program would be expanded to include all elementary schools in the nation, encompassing 6,185 regular elementary schools and 178 special schools. He urged the government, local authorities, and the private sector to unite as one team and dedicate efforts to our children’s future.