Yoon pitches Korean Peninsula unification vision in Singapore lecture

President Yoon Suk Yeol underscored his vision of a unified, free and open Korean Peninsula that could lead to opportunities for greater economic development and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region in an address in Singapore on Wednesday.

Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a keynote address on his administration’s unification vision at a lecture hosted by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in a hotel in Singapore on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

President Yoon Suk Yeol underscored his vision of a unified, free and open Korean Peninsula that could lead to opportunities for greater economic development and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region in an address in Singapore on Wednesday.

"A unified Korean Peninsula will be a blessing that will give the 26 million North Korean people, who suffer from poverty and tyranny, the freedom they so desperately desire," Yoon said in a keynote address at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore. "If a unified Korean Peninsula that is free and open is realized, it will be a historic achievement that greatly expands the value of freedom.

Yoon gave the 47th Singapore Lecture, a world-renowned program launched in 1980 by the state-run Institute of Southeast Asian Studies inviting world leaders and experts visiting the country to give speeches.

The president's keynote address was "A Vision for Korean Unification Toward a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region."

This was Yoon's first opportunity to share his unification doctrine, first revealed in his Liberation Day address on Aug. 15, on an international stage.

In his lecture, Yoon highlighted that this doctrine promotes the peaceful unification of the two Koreas, which will serve as an opportunity to expand freedom, peace and economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including Asean countries.

"If a free, unified Korean Peninsula is realized, peace can dramatically advance not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in the Indo-Pacific region and the international community," Yoon said. "North Korea's nuclear threat will disappear, and efforts to build peace and trust among countries and regions in the area will be greatly revitalized."

Yoon noted that an open Korean Peninsula will "serve as a link" connecting the Pacific Ocean, Korean Peninsula and Eurasia, "unlocking a vast market" and enabling investment and cooperation opportunities across sectors such as energy, logistics, transportation, infrastructure and tourism.

He noted this doctrine builds on his administration's Korea-Asean Solidarity Initiative, or KASI, pledging to strengthen strategic cooperation with the Southeast Asia region, a core component of Seoul's Indo-Pacific strategy.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, second from right, takes questions from the audience after giving a keynote address on his unification vision in a lecture hosted by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies at a hotel in Singapore on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The event was chaired by Teo Chee Hean, senior minister and coordinating minister for national security, and was followed by a question-and-answer session with the attendees.

When asked if his unification doctrine could be perceived as a threat to North Korea, Yoon replied, "Our unification principle and vision is that of a free and peaceful unification, so it does not pose a threat to North Korea at all."

Regarding bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing, Yoon replied, "There are many differences in ideology and system" between the countries, recalling China's history of siding with communist North Korea when it invaded the South in the 1950-53 Korean War, whereas UN forces backed South Korea.

"Rather than being buried in the past, from a future-oriented perspective, China is undoubtedly a very important country in all areas, including South Korea's security, economy and investment," Yoon said.

He said relations are established on the basis of "mutual respect and the pursuit of common interests based on international norms and principles," and that "when problems arise, addressing them quickly and discussing them openly is a realistic way to manage conflict and crisis."

Yoon added that South Korea will work on relations with China through "constructive engagement" condusive to a "rational, rule-based global order."

"Singapore's history of success reminds people around the world of the importance of indomitable will and bold challenges," Yoon said regarding their two countries' relations, "Koreans too have overcome the adversities of war and poverty and have the belief that 'we can do it,' and have experienced achieving growth and prosperity. That is why we have a more special connection to Singapore."

Yoon relayed that South Korea is ready to patiently cooperate in solidarity with the international community to "provide complete freedom and human rights to the North Korean people under the principles of promoting free and peaceful unification" as stipulated in its Constitution, the presidential office said.

Regarding the intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry, Yoon noted that it is important to actively communicate and make efforts so that relations between the United States and China "don't pose any disadvantages to South Korean companies and people," the office added.

Yoon further promised further official development assistance to Southeast Asia in sectors including digital transformation, education, climate response, smart cities and transportation infrastructure.

He added that South Korea will host the inaugural Indo-Pacific High-Level Forum in December.

Other notable figures invited to the Singapore Lecture include American economist Milton Friedman, a Nobel laureate in economics, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, accompanied by first lady Kim Keon Hee, receives flowers from children at a luncheon for Korean compatriots at a hotel in Singapore on Wednesday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee later hosted a luncheon for Korean residents living in Singapore.

Later Wednesday, Yoon was set to head to Vientiane, Laos, for the last leg of his three-country Southeast Asia tour to participate in a series of Asean-related meetings for the third consecutive year. Yoon and Kim embarked on a six-day trip that had taken them to the Philippines for a state visit.

Before departing the country, Yoon thanked Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for his "most gracious welcome," following their bilateral summit Tuesday.

"It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person after our initial conversation in May," Yoon wrote on his X account. "We enjoyed the delightful lunch with you and Mrs. Wong at the Botanic Gardens. I look forward to a stronger bond between our two countries."

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]