Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) – South Korea’s president Yoon Sukyel said Tuesday that North Korea’s nuclear weapons programs are a serious threat, but that he’s ready to present an “audacious” economic plan if North Korea commits to denuclearisation.

Yoon delivered the following remarks at his inauguration speech, after he was sworn into office in a ceremony held in Seoul’s parliament. After a 26 year career as a prosecutor, Yoon won the March election to become the standard bearer for the conservative People Power Party.

Yoon, at 61, faces two significant problems upon his arrival in office. One, North Korea’s belligerent testing of new weapons; and two, inflation that threatens to stop an economic recovery following two years COVID-19 despair.

While he has vowed a more aggressive stance on North Korea and warned of an attack if it is suspected, his speech focused on his willingness for Pyongyang to resume the stalled talks on denuclearization.

Yoon declared that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program pose a threat to both our security as well as that of Northeast Asia. However, the door for dialogue will continue to be open to us so we can peacefully address this threat.

He said, “If North Korea truly embarks upon a process of complete denuclearisation,” and he also added that if so, we will work with the international community in order to present an ambitious plan which will greatly strengthen North Korea’s economy as well as improve its quality-of-life for its citizens.”

Yoon ran on his platform to fight corruption and create a better economic environment amid growing public dissatisfaction with inequality, housing prices, and simmering Gender and Generational rivalry.