South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has urged for increased trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan, and the United States to counter the growing nuclear threats from North Korea. In a speech to a joint meeting of Congress on Thursday, Yoon emphasized the importance of standing united to deter North Korea’s “reckless behavior” and promoting freedom for the North.
Yoon also paid tribute to the 70-year alliance between South Korea and the United States and the sacrifices made by American heroes during the Korean War. He pledged South Korea’s commitment to safeguarding the freedom of the people of Ukraine and supporting their reconstruction efforts, condemning Russia’s war against Ukraine as a violation of international law.
On Wednesday, Yoon met with President Joe Biden at the White House, where the United States pledged to provide South Korea with more insight into its nuclear planning in the event of any conflict with North Korea.
Yoon’s address to Congress marked the seventh time a South Korean leader has addressed the United States’ legislative body, highlighting the close relationship between the two countries. Such addresses are generally reserved for the closest U.S. allies or major world figures, with the last such address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in December.
Yoon’s speech also highlighted his efforts towards rapprochement with neighboring Japan, after years of strained relations between the two countries. He called for closer Korea-U.S.-Japan trilateral security cooperation to counter increasing North Korean nuclear threats.
Yoon’s speech was met with a standing ovation and repeated loud cheers from members of the House and Senate, underscoring the importance of the alliance between the United States and South Korea in promoting peace, stability, and freedom in the region.
