Yoon criticizes invasion of Ukraine, North Korea in Harvard speech

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Sat, December 9, 2023 | 08:57

Yoon criticizes invasion of Ukraine, North Korea in Harvard speech

Posted : 2023-04-29 09:04

Updated : 2023-04-30 15:12

President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers an address at Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Mass., Friday (local time). Yonhap

President opens door at arming Ukraine, hails Washington Declaration

By Nam Hyun-woo

BOSTON ― President Yoon Suk Yeol condemned attempts to change the global status quo by force during an address at Harvard University, Friday (local time), citing North Korea's nuclear program and Russia's aggression in Ukraine as examples.

In the following question and answer session, Yoon dropped hints that South Korea may consider "various options" in supporting Ukraine, depending on the progress of the war. He also highlighted his firm belief in the Washington Declaration, which he signed with U.S. President Joe Biden two days ago that allows Seoul to have a greater say in Washington's nuclear planning against North Korea's threats.

"Disrespecting the freedom of others and of other countries is often manifested in attempts to change the status quo by force, and the international community, defines this as a violation of international law," Yoon said.

"Against this attempt to change the status quo by force, which infringes other countries' freedom, international society should respond with courageous and strong solidarity."

He went on condemn the war in Ukraine as an example.

"The invasion of Ukraine has lasted for over a year, trampling on the freedom and human rights of Ukrainian citizens by violating international law," he said without specifying Russia. "South Korea continues to expand its humanitarian and financial support to protect the freedom of Ukrainian citizens, as it did last year."

Yoon said the international community should respond with solidarity so that it can prove that such an attempt cannot succeed and prevent anyone from dreaming of such attempts in the future.

During questions after his address, Yoon again stressed that the "invasion of Ukraine was a blatant violation of international law," and Seoul would discuss and adjust its support for Ukraine with the U.S. and other members of the international community.

"We are closely monitoring the developments in Ukraine, and depending on the situation, we will make efforts with international society to have international rules and laws be complied with," Yoon said. "And there could be various options for that."

Yoon made similar remarks in a previous media interview, implying that Seoul may provide arms to Ukraine depending on situation, which is a major shift from its previous stance of not providing weapons to the war-torn country. In response, Russia threatened that it may provide military aid to North Korea.

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks with Joseph Nye, Harvard University distinguished service professor emeritus, during his visit to the Harvard Kennedy School in Cambridge, Mass., Friday (local time). Yonhap

Regarding North Korea, Yoon noted that the regime was the "ultimate example" of "dictatorial and totalitarian behavior," saying the North's illegal nuclear weapons program and threats to use them is putting the freedom of not only the Korean Peninsula but also the entire world at serious risk.

Yoon said the Washington Declaration was "a South Korea-U.S. mutual defense concept involving nuclear weapons," and was an upgrade from the 1953 Seoul-Washington Mutual Defense Treaty based on conventional weapons.

Signed following the Yoon-Biden summit, the declaration defines a stronger U.S. extended deterrence for South Korea in the wake of the North's escalating nuclear threats. It aims to set up a new Seoul-Washington Nuclear Consultative Group to discuss nuclear planning, and deploy U.S. nuclear ballistic submarines to South Korea more frequently.

"In terms of effectiveness, the Washington Declaration is a bilateral agreement, thus more practical and effective than NATO's nuclear sharing, which is a multilateral pact," Yoon said, adding he has "a firm belief" on the sustainability of the Washington Declaration.

While Yoon was making the speech, Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, denounced the Washington Declaration as "the outcome of the most hostile, invasive and evil policies against North Korea," adding it would result in "more serious danger."

The Harvard address was Yoon's last public event of his six-day state visit to the U.S. this week. He is the first incumbent South Korean president to deliver an address at the prestigious school.

namhw@koreatimes.co.kr