On June 24, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the government’s thorough preparedness regarding the continuously emerging security threats on and around the Korean Peninsula.
With North Korea and Russia signing an agreement focused on mutual military support in emergencies, attention is drawn to what message Yoon will send concerning the Korean War on June 25. In a meeting with senior secretaries he presided over this morning, Senior Public Relations Secretary Lee Do Woon briefed in writing, “Yoon urged utmost readiness in security posture due to the grave security situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula.”
Lee also explained that this means maintaining a firm readiness stance on the military and economic security that could be affected by the North Korea-Russia agreement and the Middle East situation.
This is Yoon’s first message regarding the North Korea-Russia military alliance since the two countries agreed on mutual military support in emergencies on June 19. The day after the agreement was made public, the South Korean government condemned strengthening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia in a statement. The head of the National Security Office, Chang Ho Jin, issued a warning message to North Korea and Russia in a media interview.
Considering the serious situation of the Korean Peninsula due to the significant strengthening of military cooperation between the two countries, it is interpreted that Yoon directly sent a message to clarify the government’s clear stance.
However, Yoon did not directly mention the North Korea-Russia agreement. This indicates that he was cautious about aggravating security anxiety by provoking Russia more than necessary.
The presidential office also closely monitored the escalating military crises in the Middle East and the Korean Peninsula.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated his intention to continue to eliminate the Palestinian militant group Hamas. He also shared that he is willing to wage war with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, resulting in an escalating situation in Israel and Palestine.
South Korea’s presidential office official explained Yoon’s instructions, sharing, “Amid concerns about the spread of war in the Middle East, we need to thoroughly prepare for the negative impact on our economy, such as oil prices and supply chains.”
In the political realm, attention is focused on the message that Yoon will release on June 25, the 74th anniversary of the Korean War, as the security crisis has escalated recently due to the North Korea-Russia agreement.
For the past two years, Yoon has focused on messages honoring the dedication and sacrifice of UN forces and veterans on the day of the Korean War.
In 2023, he emphasized the sacrifices of heroes who defended freedom through a Facebook post, saying that only strong power can guarantee true peace.
In his first year in office in 2022, he also said through Facebook that the freedom, peace, and prosperity we enjoy today were all achieved by the sacrifices and dedication of our military and UN veterans.
There are also speculations that a high-level warning message will be included this year, considering that North Korea and Russia, enemies during the Korean War, have joined hands again and initiated military cooperation.
Meanwhile, the presidential office plans to strengthen cooperation with the international community, including the U.S. and Japan, to respond to North Korea-Russia military cooperation.
The diplomatic authorities of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, issued a joint statement today stating, “South Korea, the U.S., and Japan condemn the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including the continuous transfer of weapons from North Korea to Russia, in the strongest terms.”