The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
The Korea Times
amn_close.png
amn_bl.png
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
amn_bl.png
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
  • World Expo 2030
amn_bl.png
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
amn_bl.png
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to the Editor
amn_bl.png
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
amn_bl.png
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
amn_bl.png
Sports
  • Hangzhou Asian Games
amn_bl.png
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
amn_bl.png
Video
  • Korean Storytellers
  • POPKORN
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
amn_bl.png
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
amn_NK.png amn_DR.png amn_LK.png amn_LE.png
  • bt_fb_on_2022.svgbt_fb_over_2022.svg
  • bt_twitter_on_2022.svgbt_twitter_over_2022.svg
  • bt_youtube_on_2022.svgbt_youtube_over_2022.svg
  • bt_instagram_on_2022.svgbt_instagram_over_2022.svg
  • Login
  • Register
  • Login
  • Register
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
  • 1

    Actor Song Joong-ki still hungry for new movie roles

  • 3

    S. Korea flexes military might in rare parade with US in central Seoul

  • 5

    Seoul Welcome Week to return for first time since pandemic

  • 7

    S. Korea-US alliance will end NK regime in event of nuclear weapons use, Yoon says

  • 9

    Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday

  • 11

    INTERVIEWWellington mayor's love for Korean culture spurs collaboration

  • 13

    INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'

  • 15

    Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene

  • 17

    BOK warns of worsening household debt situation

  • 19

    Opposition leader Lee attends arrest warrant hearing at Seoul court

  • 2

    Korea has world's highest senior poverty rate: data

  • 4

    Gov't to boost Korean language education for multiethnic students

  • 6

    Hyundai Steel decides to form steel pipe unit

  • 8

    Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo embroiled in controversy after 2nd-round upset

  • 10

    Guide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea

  • 12

    Late Samsung chairman's love of animals helps change Korea's pet culture

  • 14

    For closer business ties between Korea, Vietnam

  • 16

    Court rejects arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee over corruption charges

  • 18

    Over 100 money changers face suspensions, fines, criminal charges

  • 20

    S. Korea shows off 'high-power' missiles for armed forces founding anniversary

Close scrollclosebutton

Close for 24 hours

Open
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • all menu
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Photos
  • Video
  • World
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment & Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Finance
  • Business
  • National
  • North Korea
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Thu, September 28, 2023 | 10:30
Politics
Yoon vows to rebuild nation by defending 'value of freedom'
Posted : 2022-05-10 17:00
Updated : 2022-05-11 08:53
Ko Dong-hwan
Print PreviewPrint Preview
Font Size UpFont Size Up
Font Size DownFont Size Down
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • kakaolink
  • whatsapp
  • reddit
  • mailto
  • link
President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.
President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.

Former prosecutor general sworn in as Korea's president

By Ko Dong-hwan

President Yoon Suk-yeol was sworn in as president on Tuesday and promised to rebuild the nation as a responsible, respected member of the international community based on democracy and a free market economy.

Reiterating freedom, peace and human rights as some of the core values of the nation, Yoon said he would do his utmost to help the country play a greater role in defending those values around the world.

"It is our generation's calling to build a nation that espouses liberal democracy and ensures a thriving market economy, a nation that fulfills its responsibility as a trusted member of the international community and a nation that truly belongs to the people," he said.

The most frequently used word in Yoon's inauguration speech was "freedom," which was used 35 times. It was followed by "people" (15 times) "citizens" (15 times) "global" (13 times) and "peace" (12 times).

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.
Former President Moon Jae-in, left, and his wife Kim Jung-sook, center, greet President Yoon Suk-yeol, Tuesday, during Yoon's inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza. Joint Press Corps.

"Freedom is a universal value. Every citizen and every member of society must be able to enjoy freedom. If one's freedom is infringed upon or left uncorrected, this is an assault on everyone's freedom," Yoon said. "Hunger, poverty, abuse of power and armed conflict strip away our individual freedom and rob us of our inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. We, as global citizens who enjoy real freedom, must never turn a blind eye when freedom is attacked."

He switched the gears by addressing the need for the establishment of sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

He vowed an unspecified but bold plan to assist North Korea to rebuild its moribund economy, if the North gives up its nuclear program.

Yoon calls on Nat'l Assembly to approve PM nominee
Yoon calls on Nat'l Assembly to approve PM nominee
2022-05-10 17:23  |  Politics
Full text of President Yoon's inaugural address
Full text of President Yoon's inaugural address
2022-05-10 13:17  |  Politics
Yoon's inauguration day [PHOTOS]
Yoon's inauguration day [PHOTOS]
2022-05-10 13:40  |  Politics
"If North Korea genuinely embarks on a process to complete denuclearization, we are prepared to work with the international community to present an audacious plan that will vastly strengthen North Korea's economy and improve the quality of life for its people," Yoon said.

A prosecutor-turned-president, Yoon had a fresh start as head of state.

On their way to the presidential inauguration on Tuesday morning, he and first lady Kim Keon-hee met a crowd of 250 residents from their neighborhood in Acrovista, a luxurious apartment village in Seocho District in southern Seoul. With signs that praised him and a 10-year-old boy's drawing of "The Butt Detective," a Japanese cartoon character that he said looked like Yoon, they were waiting for the couple at the main entrance of the village to send their neighbors off in a festive spirit.

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.
President Yoon Suk-yeol waves to crowds as he leaves the National Assembly following his inauguration, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps.

Cordoned off behind fences, the crowd received greetings from the new first couple from Tuesday, who, at around 10:00 a.m., headed to the Seoul National Cemetery in a motorcade. Yoon and Kim will live there for another month and move to a new presidential residence, the former residence of the country's foreign affairs minister in Hannam-dong in Seoul's Yongsan District, which is now being remodeled.

National Defense Minister Seo Wook and Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-chul greeted the couple as they arrived at the cemetery to pay tribute to fallen patriots. On his way out, Yoon wrote a message in the guestbook that read, "Upholding the sacrifice and the devotion of the patriotic martyrs, I will make the Republic of Korea leap forward again and become a country where the people can live well together."

The couple then arrived at the National Assembly before 11 a.m. where the inauguration event was to take place. Some 40,000 people were there to watch the event, including 24,000 members of the public. Former president Park Geun-hye, who was pardoned last December after serving a prison term for corruption during her incumbency, and Yoon's predecessor Moon Jae-in and his wife Kim Jung-sook were in attendance. Whether Park would attend the event was a hot issue until Yoon, in April, visited her residence in Daegu to invite her to the event.

From the main entrance of the National Assembly, the first couple greeted the excited crowd behind safety fences as they walked some 180 meters along a path that cut through a carpet of lawns to their reserved seats before the stage in front of the Assembly's main building. Music played by Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra and Heart to Heart Orchestra, which is comprised of people with disabilities, as well as 234 choir members filled the air as the couple made their procession.

President Yoon Suk-yeol salutes during his inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Former president Park Geun-hye is seen sitting to the left directly behind Yoon. Joint Press Corps.
President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee, left, greet crowds as they walked up to the stage for the presidential inauguration at the National Assembly Plaza, Tuesday. Joint Press Corps.

Yoon walked up to the stage with 20 selected members of the public as representatives ―including a start-up entrepreneur who developed smart farms, a policeman who helped apprehend child pornography traders, a Cambodian marriage migrant, No.1 world ranking Go player Shin Jin-seo, and actor O Yeong-su who grabbed instant fame in the Netflix hit "Squid Game."

Yoon's speech was preceded by a salute to the Korean flag, national anthem singing, a march by military bands and honor guards, and a 21-gun salute.

After the speech, Cheong Wa Dae was streamed live on screens as it was being opened to the public, as crowds who were waiting to enter from behind the closed main entrance gate flooded inside.

After seeing Moon off from the venue, Yoon walked back to the National Assembly's main entrance and moved to his office building in Yongsan, which was previously the headquarters of the country's national defense ministry until he was elected in March. Greeted by employees of the new presidential office that was relocated from Cheong Wa Dae, Yoon gave a hearty pep talk to the crowd before stepping inside. "Let's enjoy working together for this country and for the people. Are you with me?"


Emailaoshima11@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
miguel
wooribank
LG
Top 10 Stories
1Chuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holidayChuseok exodus begins ahead of extended 6-day holiday
2Guide to Chuseok celebrations across KoreaGuide to Chuseok celebrations across Korea
3Korea sees record-low births in July Korea sees record-low births in July
4Political battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrantPolitical battle intensifies after court rejects Lee's arrest warrant
5DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November DMZ Open Int'l Music Festival to be held in Goyang in November
6Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District Hyundai E&C to build upmarket apartment complex in Seoul's Gwanak District
7Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth Lotte focuses on health care, mobility to spur growth
8Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war Two Koreas trade barbs over nuclear war
9Defense ministry launches project to find families of unidentified fallen Korean War soldiers Defense ministry launches project to find families of unidentified fallen Korean War soldiers
10Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games Korea on track to prove esports prowess at Asian Games
Top 5 Entertainment News
1[INTERVIEW] With '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting INTERVIEWWith '30 Days,' Kang Ha-neul finds new level of comfort in acting
2[INTERVIEW] ONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince' INTERVIEWONEUS returns as 'mermaid prince'
3Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene Rwandan artists bring diversity to Seoul's art scene
4Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love Kep1er unveils 'Magic Hour' with fresh perspective on love
5K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran K-pop group Kingdom recalls album cover resembling Quran
DARKROOM
  • Turkey-Syria earthquake

    Turkey-Syria earthquake

  • Nepal plane crash

    Nepal plane crash

  • Brazil capital uprising

    Brazil capital uprising

  • Happy New Year 2023

    Happy New Year 2023

  • World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

    World Cup 2022 Final - Argentina vs France

CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Services
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Site Map
  • Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Ombudsman
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group