President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Liberation Day Speech: Freedom as the Key to Korean Unification

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized the importance of freedom in his address on National Liberation Day in Korea yesterday. He unveiled the 8·15 Unification Doctrine on the 79th anniversary of Korea’s liberation.

Yoon stated that safeguarding freedom is a prerequisite for achieving a unified Republic of Korea based on liberal democracy.

During the Liberation Day ceremony held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Yoon said, “We must strengthen our conviction in the value of freedom.”

He further emphasized the importance of staunchly protecting their freedom as a catalyst for unification, leading to a liberal democratic consolidation. 

Yoon specifically warned against being influenced by deceptive propaganda and flawed reasoning that threaten free society, describing fake news and false propaganda as potent weapons that disrupt free societies.

He criticized individuals he described as pseudo-intellectuals, who, he said, package and distribute fake news, thereby forming interest groups that detract from genuine values and visions. 

Furthermore, he labeled these individuals as forces against freedom and unification, urging citizens to equip themselves with the truth and actively counter these challenges.

Yoon emphasized the importance of international solidarity in achieving a unified Republic of Korea.

He stated that unification is crucial as it expands the universal values of freedom and human rights, which are directly linked to global peace and the prosperity of humanity. Yoon highlighted the need to promote the belief that a unified Republic of Korea would significantly contribute to international peace and prosperity.

Yoon also announced plans to establish an “International Korean Peninsula Forum” with like-minded nations, saying, “We will work to strengthen alliances and partnerships while building consensus on unification.”

On this occasion, Yoon did not address the controversy surrounding National Foundation Day but reiterated his earlier position that “the foundation of the nation is a continuous process toward freedom.”

Yoon reflected on the nation’s history since losing its national sovereignty, highlighting that its people have created a remarkable legacy. He emphasized that freedom is the core value that has guided this significant journey.

Further, he described the nation’s liberation as a result of its struggle for freedom, asserting that no challenges—whether imperialist infringements on sovereignty, division, war, or anything else—could halt their determined pursuit of freedom.