S. Korea to serve as 'compass for freedom,' Yoon says in speech to US Congress

President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., Thursday (local time). Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of Calif., listen. Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― President Yoon Suk Yeol delivered a speech in English in front of a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Thursday (local time), and pledged that South Korea will stand together with the U.S. to serve as "a compass for freedom" to protect and broaden the liberty of global citizens.

Throughout his address, Yoon reiterated the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the coalition between liberal democracies and stressed that the world should let North Korea know "there is a point beyond which they must not advance."

He also spoke out against Russia's invasion of Ukraine and underscored Seoul's commitment to support Kyiv, likening the case to the democracies which helped South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War.

"As I took office last year, I pledged to rebuild [South] Korea: a nation belonging to the people rooted in freedom, democracy, and market economy; a nation that the people can be truly proud of, as it fulfills its role as a responsible member of the international community," Yoon said in his speech.

"Together with the U.S., [South] Korea will play the role of a compass for freedom. It will safeguard and broaden the freedom of citizens of the world."

President Yoon Suk Yeol waves to lawmakers before delivering an address in front of a joint session of the U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., Thursday (local time). Yonhap

Yoon, who is in the U.S. throughout this week for a state visit, delivered the address a day after he held a summit with President Joe Biden, where the two leaders pledged to further strengthen their military alliance and deepen their economic partnership. It was the first address given by a South Korean president before Congress since President Park Geun-hye in May 2013.

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"Our alliance was forged 70 years ago to defend [South] Korea's freedom," Yoon said in the speech. "The alliance has now become a global alliance that safeguards freedom and peace around the world. [South] Korea will fulfill its responsibilities. It will play its part that matches its economic capacity."

During his address, Yoon hailed the successful history of the two countries' alliance and economic partnerships and paid tribute to veterans who fought in the Korean War, such as the late former U.S. Reps. John Conyers, Sam Johnson, Howard Coble and former Rep. Charles Rangel.

He also pointed out that cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries have deepened over the past 70 years of the alliance, adding that Reps. Young Kim, Andy Kim, Michelle Steel and Marilyn Strickland are "a testament to the alliance spanning generations."

Yoon said the difference between North Korea and South Korea is the fact that Seoul chose freedom and democracy, while Pyongyang selected dictatorship and communism and stressed that the North's nuclear program and missile provocations pose a serious threat to peace on the Korean Peninsula and beyond.

"To deter its reckless behavior, the alliance must stand united with determination," Yoon said. "As President Reagan once said: 'There is a price we will not pay. There is a point beyond which they must not advance.' We must make his words clear to North Korea."

Yoon said he and Biden agreed on a stronger U.S. extended deterrence against North Korea during their summit a day earlier and noted that his government will "respond firmly to provocations."

At the same time, he said "the door is open for dialogue on North Korea's denuclearization" and added that "all Pyongyang has to do is to stop its nuclear program and begin a substantive denuclearization process."

President Yoon Suk Yeol addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress, Washington D.C., Thursday (local time). Yonhap

In the speech, Yoon also pledged a more proactive stance by Seoul in promoting democracy in the world and vocal responses to global issues, such as the war in Ukraine.

"Freedom and Democracy are once again under threat," Yoon said. "The war against Ukraine is a violation of international law. It is an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo with force. [South] Korea strongly condemns the unprovoked armed attack against Ukraine."

While pledging South Korea's support for Ukraine, Yoon likened the case to the democracies which helped South Korea during the Korean War.

"When North Korea invaded us in 1950, democracies came running to help us. We fought together and kept our freedom," Yoon said. "[South] Korea's experience shows us just how important it is for democracies to uphold solidarity. [South] Korea will stand in solidarity with the free world. We will actively work to safeguard the freedom of the people of Ukraine and support their efforts in reconstruction."