South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol reiterated his commitment to achieving full national unification during his National Liberation Day address on Thursday, describing it as an unfinished task necessary for complete liberation. He outlined a three-pronged reunification strategy: battling “disinformation” allegedly spread by “pseudo-intellectuals” that threaten freedom — a phrase he has repeatedly used to offer veiled criticism of the opposition, create conditions for North Koreans to desire unification and strengthen international solidarity.

Yoon also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve North Korean human rights, expand information access for North Korean residents and maintain open channels for inter-Korean dialogue. He proposed the establishment of a working-level dialogue body to address various issues, including economic cooperation and humanitarian concerns. Yoon stressed that unification is directly linked to global peace and the broader expansion of freedom and human rights.