S. Korea, US to complete enhanced extended deterrence against N. Korea: president

President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers his New Year's speech at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. A banner behind him reads: "A warm government that cares for its people." Courtesy of presidential office

President Yoon Suk Yeol announced, Monday, that an enhanced version of the South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence scheme will be fully established within the first half of this year, enabling Seoul to more effectively counter Pyongyang's nuclear threats.

Yoon also stressed the improvement of the economy and people's livelihood as top priorities for his third year as president, while renewing his commitment to reforming the state pension, education and labor sectors.

"In the first half of this year, we will complete the enhanced South Korea-U.S. extended deterrence system to fundamentally deter any North Korean nuclear and missile threats," Yoon said in a televised New Year address from his office in Yongsan District, Seoul.

Extended deterrence refers to the U.S.' commitment to mobilizing the full range of its military capabilities, including its nuclear arsenal, to defend allies.

Yoon said that his administration is working toward building a "genuine and lasting peace" through strength, not a "submissive peace" dependent on the goodwill of adversaries.

"Strong security will underpin free economic activities, allowing people to live their daily lives without fear," he added.

These remarks show Yoon's continuing hawkish stance on North Korea, a position he has maintained since taking office in May 2022. His security policies are focused on strengthening the alliance with the United States to thwart Pyongyang's nuclear provocations.

Under the Washington Declaration adopted by Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden during their summit in Washington in April last year, a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) was launched to enhance joint commitments to strengthen extended deterrence.

Entering the New Year, Yoon struck an optimistic tone about the economic outlook. The year 2023 was a challenging period for the Korean economy, marked by high inflation rates amid soaring global oil prices and slowing exports, he said.

"The New Year will be a significant turning point for Korea’s new leap forward. Our overall economic vitality will improve as global trade is expected to pick up. Increased exports will drive recovery and further growth. Prices will become more stabilized," he said.

President Yoon Suk Yeol pays his respects to deceased patriots during a visit to the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak District, Seoul, Monday. Joint Press Corps

The president also reiterated his commitment to implementing major reforms in the pension, education and labor sectors, which he had outlined as the national agenda for 2023.

"Labor movement within the legal boundaries will be ensured, but illicit activities, irrespective of whether from labor or management, will be sternly addressed," he said.

Regarding the contentious pension reform, he urged public support for a draft version of a reform plan submitted to the National Assembly in October last year, which proposes a gradual increase in premium rates.

In terms of education reform, Yoon said that the government will "normalize" the public education environment by strengthening teachers' rights. He also pledged bold financial support to universities that pursue innovation.

Yoon devoted a significant portion of his New Year's speech to people's livelihoods, in what is viewed as a message that the government will implement policies resonating with the public. In the speech, he used the word "people" 28 times and "people's livelihoods" nine times.

This marked a somewhat different tone from the president's previous addresses in 2023, such as the National Liberation Day speech on Aug. 15, during which he emphasized "ideology" as the nation's most important value. In another speech in September, Yoon described the country as being under threat from "communist totalitarian forces and their opportunist followers."

Such rhetoric drew criticism for placing ideological debates at the center of state affairs.

In that context, Yoon's latest address is seen as his effort to emphasize that people are now his top priority.

"The people are at the center of my government’s every policy ... My government will be an 'action-oriented, problem-solving one,'" Yoon said, wrapping up the 20-minute speech.

The term "ideology" did surface in the speech, as Yoon renewed his determination to dismantle so-called "cartels" with vested interests.

"We (the government) will certainly break up syndicate cartels driven by their own interests and ideologies ... Genuine reforms for the people are not possible without fighting the corrupted cartels," he said.