South Korean President Yoon presents vision of “unification based on freedom” and proposes dialogue with North Korea

President Yoon Suk Yeol presented his vision for reunification with North Korea on Thursday. He promised to increase the flow of information from outside into the isolated country and proposed an official dialogue channel through which “any issue can be addressed.”

Yoon made the remarks in a speech marking Liberation Day, which marks the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945. He said “complete liberation remains an unfinished task” as the Korean peninsula is still divided.

“The freedom we enjoy must be extended to the frozen kingdom of the north, where people are deprived of their freedom and suffer from poverty and hunger,” Yoon said. “Only when a united, free and democratic nation that rightfully belongs to the people is established across the entire Korean peninsula will we finally achieve complete liberation.”

Yoon set three key tasks for the association: defending South Korea's freedom from fake news and other destabilizing elements, bringing about change in North Korea through improving the human rights situation and outside information, and strengthening cooperation with the international community.

Yoon also proposed an official dialogue with Pyongyang.

“Today, I propose that the authorities of both Koreas establish an 'Inter-Korean Working Group,'” Yoon said. “This body could address any issue, from easing tensions to economic cooperation, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and disaster and climate change response.”

Yoon urged the North to respond to the proposal, saying dialogue and cooperation could lead to substantial progress in relations between North and South Korea.

Yoon reiterated his commitment to the “bold initiative” unveiled two years ago, which provides massive aid to the impoverished North to rebuild its economy in return for steps toward nuclear disarmament.

“We will begin political and economic cooperation as soon as North Korea takes even one step toward nuclear disarmament,” he said.

Yoon also outlined plans to expand North Koreans’ “right of access to information.”

“It is also important to make people in North Korea aware of the value of freedom. Testimonials from numerous North Korean defectors show that our radio and television broadcasts have helped to make them aware of the North Korean regime's false propaganda and incitement,” Yoon said.

“When more North Koreans realize that unification through freedom is the only way to improve their lives and are convinced that a unified Republic of Korea welcomes them, they will become strong, friendly forces for unification based on freedom,” he said.

Yoon said the South will establish a North Korean Freedom and Human Rights Fund to actively support non-governmental activities to promote freedom and human rights in the country, while continuing to try to provide humanitarian assistance to the North.

“We have offered relief supplies for flood victims in North Korea, making it clear that our government has no intention of ignoring the suffering of the North Korean people,” he said. “Even though the North Korean regime has once again rejected our offer, we will never stop offering humanitarian aid.” (Yonhap)