On May 10, Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated as the 20th president of South Korea, opening a new chapter in the country’s history for the next five years.
The first duty that Yoon performed as president was to receive an online briefing from the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the national crisis management center of the new presidential office in Yongsan. During the briefing, Yoon officially became the commander-in-chief of the armed forces in accordance with Article 74 of the South Korean constitution. Yoon was also briefed on the military situation in North Korea and how South Korea’s military will take a tough stance against North Korea.
There may be many reasons why Yoon, unlike the former presidents, took over the aforementioned military leadership at the national crisis management center of the new presidential office in Yongsan. Many political analysts believe that Yoon’s choice was based on his administration’s plan to prepare for mounting tension on the Korean Peninsula following North Korea’s recent armed protests. On May 4, North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward its eastern waters. This was the 14th time that North Korea had fired a missile this year alone. Meanwhile, North Korea launched a total of eight missiles in 2021 and a total of four missiles in 2020.
Yoon’s inauguration ceremony took place at the National Assembly in Yeouido, which was attended by approximately 41,000 visitors. Yoon’s inauguration ceremony garnered immense attention from the public, as it featured numerous entrepreneurs from many different fields. Because of this, many political analysts believe that Yoon will promote a favorable environment for entrepreneurs and businesses during his presidency. During his inauguration speech, Yoon affirmed that both polarization and social conflict are serious problems that must be eradicated for the sake of South Korea’s democracy and social progress. Additionally, Yoon promised to encourage social mobility and promote scientific advancement and technological progress. Yoon also vowed to communicate with North Korea and work with the international community to help North Korea.
Meanwhile, with the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan, the Blue House has been fully opened to the public for the first time in 74 years. Due to this, Bugaksan, which sits adjacent to the Blue House, has also been fully opened to the public.
Yejin Hwang Staff Reporter
1. What was the first duty that Yoon performed as president?
2. What was Yoon briefed on?
3. What do many political analysts believe about Yoon’s choice of location for the briefing?
1. How is the current relationship between North and South Korea?
2. Did you watch Yoon’s inauguration ceremony? What did you think about it?
3. What did you think about the promises made by Yoon during his inauguration speech?
4. What do you think about the relocation of the presidential office?
On May 10, Yoon Suk-yeol was inaugurated as the 20th president of South Korea, opening a new chapter in the country’s history for the next five years.
