South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the “complete denuclearization” of the North at his swearing-in on Tuesday, describing Pyongyang’s weapons as a threat to regional and global security. “If North Korea genuinely embarks on a process to complete denuclearization, we (will) present an audacious plan that will vastly strengthen North Korea’s economy and improve the quality of life for its people,” Yoon said. ‘Never Succumbed’The formal inauguration ceremony was staged outside Seoul’s National Assembly, featuring marching army bands, soldiers in ceremony dress, and a 21-gun salute. Around 40,000 people attended the massive inauguration ceremony, which local reports said was the country’s the most expensive such event by far, at 3.3 billion won ($2.6 million). Japan and China also sent high-level representatives, with Yoon saying he wants to mend sometimes fractious relations with regional powers.

Source: The North Africa Journal May 10, 2022 06:18 UTC