President Yoon Calls for New Liberation Focused on Hope, Opportunity, Balance, and Peace
President Yoon Suk-yeol on August 15 proposed a journey to end the war and transform the Korean Peninsula's unstable armistice into a peace regime. He urged the initiation of discussions among the parties involved to conclude the long-standing conflict.
In his speech at the 81st Liberation Day ceremony, President Yoon outlined three key principles for his policy on the Korean Peninsula: "inclusive peaceful coexistence," "stable peaceful coexistence," and "responsible peaceful coexistence." He stated, "Today, one year later, I want to present a blueprint to move beyond principles to practice," emphasizing the need for mutual respect and an end to unnecessary confrontations between the North and South.
He called for a reduction of hostility in perceptions, norms, and institutions, expressing hope that both sides would sit down together for peaceful coexistence and joint growth. He stressed that this is not about concessions but the beginning of coexistence.
President Yoon also promised to establish institutional safeguards to control military tensions and prevent accidental clashes. He stated, "We need to create systems to manage tensions and conflicts, and take proactive and continuous peace measures while comprehensively reviewing the security situation around the Korean Peninsula."
He expressed his intention to encourage North Korea's response to create a stable Korean Peninsula, hoping that their steps would lower military tensions in border areas and serve as a foundation for building trust and stability.
President Yoon remarked, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula will promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia and serve as a milestone toward a world without nuclear weapons," suggesting that discussions should begin among the parties to end the long-standing war and to find effective ways to halt North Korea's nuclear capabilities.
In terms of South Korea-Japan relations, he expressed a desire to expand practical cooperation based on a sincere acknowledgment of historical issues. He noted that over the past year, the two countries have built a foundation of trust through shuttle diplomacy and have broadened cooperation in supply chains, energy, and advanced industries. He also mentioned the expansion of exchanges between future generations.
President Yoon introduced a new national vision of an "irreplaceable South Korea" and a "new liberation." He stated, "We need a new liberation that will elevate South Korea to the next level, a country that the world needs, a nation that all countries want to cooperate with, and an irreplaceable South Korea that no other country can substitute."
To achieve this, he announced plans to completely reallocate national resources and capabilities and to redraw the growth map. He aims to expand growth hubs concentrated in the metropolitan area across the entire country and to enhance growth potential through active investment in future industries.
He emphasized, "When the results of innovation and opportunities for future growth are evenly distributed, a bold vision will illuminate every corner of the people's lives and foster courage for new challenges."
Kim Min-seok Achieves Majority Vote in Honam, Expanding Lead Over Jeong Cheong-rae
Kim Min-seok, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party, continued his winning streak by securing a majority of votes in Honam, a region expected to influence the party convention's outcome, significantly widening the gap with rival Jeong Cheong-rae. Before the Honam primary, the difference between the two candidates was only 1.48 percentage points.
On August 15, So Byeong-hoon, head of the Central Party's Election Management Committee, announced the results at the Wonkwang University gymnasium. Kim received a total of 139,307 votes in Jeollanam-do and Jeollabuk-do, surpassing Jeong's 79,033 votes. Song Young-gil received 23,749 votes.
Regionally, in Gwangju, Kim garnered 57.04% (86,558 votes), while Jeong received 31.84% (48,324 votes), and Song received 11.12% (16,874 votes). In Jeollabuk-do, Kim achieved 58.39% (52,749 votes), Jeong 34.00% (30,709 votes), and Song 7.61% (6,875 votes).
Before the vote counting, the candidates emphasized their connections to Honam and appealed for support by referencing the late former President Kim Dae-jung, a symbol of Honam politics. Kim stated, "I worked as the secretary to the party leader during President Kim's administration 20 years ago. The Honam AI Mega Project is my dream and a historic gamble for President Yoon, and I will ensure its success." He added, "With President Yoon's firm commitment to the development of Jeollabuk-do, I will independently create a mega plan for Jeollabuk-do and become Mr. Saemangeum."
Jeong introduced himself as "the son-in-law of Honam, with my mother born in Jeollabuk-do," and highlighted the advancements made possible by the internet established by Kim Dae-jung, stating, "Thanks to the internet, we became an internet powerhouse, and with a cultural policy of support without interference, we became a cultural powerhouse with BTS. The convergence of President Kim's internet and President Yoon's AI presents a golden opportunity for the rise of South Korea." He asserted, "Once betrayed, one will betray again. I am confident that I, Jeong Cheong-rae, will be the one to remain loyal to President Yoon until the end."
Song appealed, "Please hold the hand of a son of Honam, and I will become the new center of Honam politics following President Kim." He emphasized his experience as the first young recruit brought in by President Kim, serving as a secretary to the late President Roh Moo-hyun, the head of the overall election campaign for former President Moon Jae-in, and the head of the overall election campaign for President Yoon. He declared, "With the end of judicial reform, Jeong is no longer needed; I will now lead judicial reform."
The Democratic Party will conduct a primary in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province on August 16, followed by a party convention in Daejeon on August 17 to establish a new leadership. The final election results for the party leader will reflect 70% of votes from party members and 30% from public opinion polls.
People Power Party Demands Explanation for Dismissal of Trade Chief
The People Power Party criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's dismissal of Yeo Han-goo, the head of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's Trade Negotiation Headquarters, as "irrational governance."
In a statement on August 15, party spokesperson Jo Yong-sool questioned, "Is it acceptable to leave a key position responsible for negotiating with foreign countries vacant without even providing a specific reason?"
Jo pointed out that the Yoon administration had promised a $350 billion investment in the U.S. without public consensus last year and is now facing pressure from the U.S. to expedite that commitment. He criticized the administration for abruptly dismissing the person responsible for those negotiations without any explanation.
He added, "The government remains silent, citing the judgment of the appointing authority without revealing specific reasons for the dismissal. What secret are they trying to hide? The Yoon administration must clearly explain to the public why they replaced the trade chief in the midst of U.S. trade negotiations without an alternative plan."
Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform Party, also commented on Facebook, "While reports indicate that the Trump administration is applying pressure regarding U.S. investments, the government dismissed Yeo Han-goo. Regardless of the reasons for the dismissal, the U.S. is bound to misunderstand this action."
Lee urged the immediate appointment of a successor to ensure there is no gap in U.S. negotiations, warning that any disruption in U.S. diplomacy could have a more significant impact on the South Korean economy than the recent turmoil in the stock market.
According to the Ministry of Industry, President Yoon dismissed Yeo at midnight on the same day. This unilateral dismissal of a civil servant is an unusual move in political appointments, but specific reasons for the dismissal have not been disclosed.
Government Expresses Disappointment Over Japanese Officials' Yasukuni Shrine Visits
On August 15, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Japanese political figures' offerings and visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, stating, "We cannot contain our disappointment."
The Ministry of National Defense summoned Takeshi Nagayoshi, the Japanese defense attaché in South Korea, to express its protest against Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi's visit to the shrine, the first by a sitting defense minister in two years.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry expressed, "The government is deeply disappointed by the actions of responsible Japanese leaders who continue to glorify Japan's past invasion wars and visit a shrine that enshrines war criminals, repeating outdated acts that disregard history."
The Ministry urged Japanese leaders to confront history and demonstrate genuine reflection and remorse through their actions, emphasizing that this is a crucial foundation for building a future-oriented South Korea-Japan relationship based on trust.
Kim Hak-jo, the International Policy Director of the Ministry of National Defense, summoned Nagayoshi to the Ministry of Defense to strongly protest Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, expressing deep regret over the action.
He stated that the visit contradicts efforts to establish a future-oriented relationship based on trust between South Korea and Japan and conveyed serious concerns regarding the matter.
On this day, which marks both Korea's Liberation Day and Japan's defeat, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not visit the shrine but offered a monetary donation as the president of the Liberal Democratic Party. However, four current ministers, including Koizumi, visited the shrine, and key officials from the ruling party also participated in an unusual group visit.
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo Urges Preparedness for Heavy Rain Forecasts in Southern Coast
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo ordered proactive preparedness measures on August 15 in anticipation of heavy rain forecasted for the southern coast.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, Han instructed, "Given that heavy rainfall is expected during the vulnerable nighttime hours of the holiday period, ensure thorough preemptive checks, controls, and evacuations."
He emphasized the need for thorough pre-checks and monitoring of vulnerable areas such as camping sites, underground roads, and low-lying homes, ensuring the safety of visitors and residents.
Han also urged the swift dissemination of evacuation notices using available resources such as village broadcasts and sirens, and to pay attention to safety management in coastal and adjacent low-lying areas, considering rising sea levels.
He instructed that relevant agencies maintain a state of emergency readiness and share information, while ensuring the safety of personnel responding on-site.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts rainfall from August 15 to 17, estimating 20 to 60 mm in Daejeon, Sejong, Chungnam, and Chungbuk (with some areas in Daejeon and southeastern Chungnam expected to exceed 80 mm), 50 to 100 mm in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do (with eastern Jeollanam-do's southern coast expected to exceed 200 mm), 30 to 80 mm in Jeollabuk-do, and 100 to 200 mm in the western southern coast of Gyeongnam (with some areas exceeding 250 mm).
In Busan, Ulsan, and central Gyeongnam's southern coast, rainfall is expected to be between 50 to 150 mm (with some areas in Busan and central Gyeongnam exceeding 200 mm), 50 to 100 mm in Daegu and Gyeongbuk (with some areas exceeding 120 mm), and 50 to 100 mm in Jeju (with mountainous areas exceeding 200 mm and mid-mountain areas exceeding 120 mm).
Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake in Indonesia's Flores Island Leaves at Least 20 Dead
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck near the coast of Flores Island in eastern Indonesia, resulting in at least 20 fatalities and six injuries, according to AFP on August 15 (local time).
According to Yonhap News, AFP reported that the earthquake occurred on the northern coast of Flores Island in the East Sunda Islands, resulting in 20 deaths across four villages, as confirmed by local rescue authorities.
A representative stated, "According to reports, six people were injured, and two remain trapped under the rubble."
Authorities plan to focus on locating the trapped victims, but rescue operations are facing difficulties due to landslides blocking many roads.
The earthquake struck at 5:58 a.m. local time, followed by 52 aftershocks ranging from magnitudes 3.6 to 6.2. Tremors were felt across most areas of Flores Island, and local rescue teams are conducting operations throughout the island.
Indonesia is located on the "Ring of Fire," a seismically active region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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