Yoon slams North Korea for ‘anachronistic acts’

President Yoon Suk Yeol strongly condemned North Korea’s recent actions, especially its efforts to strengthen military ties with Russia, describing those moves as “anachronistic acts” that defy the trajectory of history, Tuesday.

His criticism followed Pyongyang and Moscow’s signing of a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty last week, as well as North Korea’s repeated actions of sending balloons filled with trash toward South Korea.

“North Korea insists on a path of regression and remains the last frozen ground on the planet, while South Korea has been on the course of freedom and prosperity,” Yoon said in a speech during an event in Daegu to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Korean War.

He described North Korea’s act of sending trash-filled balloons as a “mean and irrational provocation.”

Overnight on Monday, North Korea launched approximately 350 balloons filled with waste toward South Korea. It was the fifth time since 슬롯 late last month that the North sent the balloons across the border. According to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, about 100 balloons, mostly containing scrap paper and waste, landed in Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province.

“The North is prioritizing the safety of its regime while neglecting the dire living conditions of its people and ruthlessly suppressing their human rights,” Yoon said.

Regarding North Korea’s recent agreement with Russia, he said, “It has even pledged to enhance military and economic cooperation, which directly violates U.N. Security Council resolutions.”

The pledge refers to the treaty signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un during their summit last week. They agreed that each side would provide immediate military assistance in the event of an attack on either nation.

“North Korea’s actions are anachronistic and run counter to the course of historical progress,” Yoon said.

“Our military will remain steadfastly prepared to ensure that North Korea does not dare to challenge South Korea under any circumstances. We will respond with overwhelming and decisive force to any provocations from the North.”

This marks his first public comment on the agreement signed during the summit between Putin and Kim.

Additionally, Yoon pledged to deter North Korea’s provocations and threats through a strong security posture and alliances with the United States and other countries that share the same values as South Korea.

The signing of the treaty between Pyongyang and Moscow has raised concerns that the Korean Peninsula could become a focal point of a new Cold War.