President Yoon Suk Yeol is on Time's list of "The 100 Most Influential People of 2022." (Screen capture from magazine's website)

By Yoon Hee Young

President Yoon Suk Yeol is on Time's list of "The 100 Most Influential People of 2022."

The American magazine on May 23 included President Yoon in the Leaders category.

On why he was selected, Time said, "Tensions are high on the Korean Peninsula, as U.S. officials say there are concerns that North Korea may be preparing to resume nuclear testing. South Korea’s new President, Yoon Suk-yeol, a former prosecutor with little foreign policy experience, is determined to take on the challenge."

"On the campaign trail, Yoon, of the conservative People Power Party, called for a tougher stance in relation to his country's northern neighbor," it added, "In his May 10 inauguration address, Yoon offered an 'audacious plan' to strengthen North Korea's economy in exchange for complete denuclearization."

"The 61-year-old Yoon has also said that he wants to align with the U.S.—South Korea's most important military ally—more closely."

Other presidents making the list were Moon Jae-in in 2018 and Park Geun-hye in 2013.

Making the list in the Titans category was Hwang Dong-hyuk, director of last year's hit Netflix original Korean series "Squid Game."

hyyoon@korea.kr