In his address on the 79th Liberation Day, President Yoon Suk-yeol unveiled a new vision and strategy for unification. The President emphasized that true liberation is only realized with the unification of the Korean nation, achieved through the expan...
In his address on the 79th Liberation Day, President Yoon Suk-yeol unveiled a new vision and strategy for unification. The President emphasized that true liberation is only realized with the unification of the Korean nation, achieved through the expansion of universal values such as freedom and human rights. This article analyzes the key points of his address and explores the policy implications. President Yoon outlined his vision for unification as a country where “people’s freedom and safety are guaranteed,” “a strong and prosperous country driven by creativity and innovation,” and “a country that contributes to global peace and prosperity.” While Yoon’s vision builds upon the 1994 National Community Unification Formula, which envisioned a country where all members of the nation are the stakeholders, and the freedom, welfare, and human dignity of each individual are assured, it also reflects the changes in domestic and international conditions— such as the evolving inter-Korean relations, South Korea’s growing national power and prestige, and the heightened expectations of the international community.