World must stand together as freedom, peace at risk again: South Korean president

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – The world must stand together to defend global freedoms and peace that is under threat again, South Korea’s president said on Tuesday.

“When freedom of any individual in a nation comes under threat, members of the community must join hands to remove the threat and defend freedom,” Yoon Suk-yeol said in his first address to the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Likewise, when freedom of any citizen or nation in the global community is in peril, it is the community of nations that must stand together in solidarity to defend that freedom.”

He warned that the world “is yet again witnessing freedom and peace of its citizens put in jeopardy.”

“Attempts to alter the status quo by force endangers the lives of innocent people; nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction pose increasing threats to humanity; systemic violations of human rights leave millions of children deprived of their future,” Yoon said, without referring to North Korea or any other country in specific.

“Such threats to freedom and peace must be overcome through solidarity and fearless commitment to the framework of universal global norms consolidated over the years within the UN system.”

He vowed that South Korea will work to “protect and expand the freedom of global citizens.”

“Together with the United Nations, we will fulfill our responsibilities to promote peace and prosperity around the world,” he added.

Yoon emphasized the need for the international community to pursue the goal of “genuine” peace and freedom.

“Genuine freedom is not just being free from the shackles but having opportunities to live life to the fullest with dignity. Genuine peace is not an absence of war but removing conflict and enmity that hold back shared progress of humanity and building the foundation for greater prosperity,” he said.

“Genuine freedom and peace can turn into reality when we are free from disease and hunger, free from illiteracy and free from want of energy and culture.”

He also thanked the UN for sending its forces during the Korean War in 1950s.

The UN’s “very first mission” after its creation in 1945 “was to approve the Republic of Korea as the sole legitimate government on the Korean Peninsula,” said Yoon.

“Thanks to such efforts by the United Nations, Korea was able to become what it is today,” he added.