Yoon spoke amid high tensions after South Korea completely suspended a 2018 inter-Korean de-escalation agreement in response to North Korea sending garbage-filled balloons across the border last week, Yonhap news agency reported. Made the remarks during a Memorial Day speech at the Seoul National Cemetery. ,
"North Korea," he said.
"The government will never ignore the threat from North Korea."
To deter North Korean threats, Yun vowed to strengthen the alliance with the US and increase cooperation with the international community.
“We will maintain a posture of strict readiness and respond to provocations firmly and forcefully,” he said.,
"On the basis of a stronger South Korea-US alliance and cooperation with the international community, we will resolutely safeguard the freedom and security of our people."
Yoon criticized the North Korean regime for "refusing to accept the progress of history" and instead remaining on a "backward path that endangers our lives."
"South Korea has now become the brightest country in the world, while the land north of the military demarcation line remains the darkest in the world," he said.
Referring to the North Koreans as "our compatriots" who are living "about 50 km from here", he noted the suffering of starvation along with the brutal snatching of their freedom and human rights.
He stressed that "we will be able to restore the freedom and human rights of the North Korean people only by becoming a stronger country".He said, “Peace is maintained by strength, not by submission.”
Since last week, Pyongyang has sent about 1,000 balloons carrying garbage to the South as a "tit-for-tat" action against anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns by activists in Seoul.
It also attempted to jam GPS signals near the western maritime border.
North Korea said it would temporarily stop dropping balloons across the border on Sunday, after the South Korean government warned of "unbearable" measures, including resuming loudspeaker broadcasts.
Yun also vowed to take better care of the country's heroes and said that no matter what happens, the country will take full responsibility for the bereaved families.Specifically, he announced plans to renew welfare services for patriots and veterans by improving medical care and expanding rehabilitation assistance.
"North Korea," he said.
"The government will never ignore the threat from North Korea."
To deter North Korean threats, Yun vowed to strengthen the alliance with the US and increase cooperation with the international community.
“We will maintain a posture of strict readiness and respond to provocations firmly and forcefully,” he said.,
"On the basis of a stronger South Korea-US alliance and cooperation with the international community, we will resolutely safeguard the freedom and security of our people."
Yoon criticized the North Korean regime for "refusing to accept the progress of history" and instead remaining on a "backward path that endangers our lives."
"South Korea has now become the brightest country in the world, while the land north of the military demarcation line remains the darkest in the world," he said.
Referring to the North Koreans as "our compatriots" who are living "about 50 km from here", he noted the suffering of starvation along with the brutal snatching of their freedom and human rights.
He stressed that "we will be able to restore the freedom and human rights of the North Korean people only by becoming a stronger country".He said, “Peace is maintained by strength, not by submission.”
Since last week, Pyongyang has sent about 1,000 balloons carrying garbage to the South as a "tit-for-tat" action against anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaigns by activists in Seoul.
It also attempted to jam GPS signals near the western maritime border.
North Korea said it would temporarily stop dropping balloons across the border on Sunday, after the South Korean government warned of "unbearable" measures, including resuming loudspeaker broadcasts.
Yun also vowed to take better care of the country's heroes and said that no matter what happens, the country will take full responsibility for the bereaved families.Specifically, he announced plans to renew welfare services for patriots and veterans by improving medical care and expanding rehabilitation assistance.
