Analysis Yoon’s first year: How the president has embraced a hardline North Korea policyDiplomacy has taken a backseat to deterrence and sharp rhetoric, with Yoon set to stay the course for foreseeable future South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol marked his first year in office on Wednesday, and 12 months into his five-year term, the former prosecutor-turned-politician has already decisively steered Seoul’s policy toward North Korea in a more hardline direction. While his progressive predecessor Moon Jae-in doggedly pursued diplomacy with the DPRK, Yoon from early in his term has made a point to use sharp anti-North Korea rhetoric — including labeling the neighbor as Seoul’s “main enemy” — and present himself as a strong leader who won’t hesitate to preemptively strike the North in a conflict. Alongside this © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. |