South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized the importance of the alliance between South Korea and the United States during an interview with the Washington Post, calling it “the most successful alliance in history and, above all, an alliance based on values.” Yoon also said during the interview that he has made efforts to improve relations with Japan despite 60% of South Koreans disapprovinghis rapprochement. He defended his approach saying, “I can’t accept the notion that because of what happened 100 years ago, something is absolutely impossible [to do] and that they [Japanese] must kneel [for forgiveness] because of our