President Yoon Suk Yeol gives a speech at a ceremony to mark the 77th Liberation Day on the lawn in front of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District. (Yonhap News)

By Yoon Sojung 

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Aug. 15 pledged to improve relations with Japan in his congratulatory speech on Liberation Day.

"When Korea-Japan relations move toward a common future and the mission of our times aligns based on our shared universal values, this will also help us properly resolve problems with history," he said at an event to mark the 77th edition of the holiday on the lawn in front of the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan-gu District.

"We will swiftly restore and develop Korea-Japan relations by inheriting the spirit of the Kim Dae-jung–Obuchi Declaration, which proposed a blueprint of a comprehensive future for bilateral ties."

He added, "Based on mutual respect, the governments and people of both countries must contribute to the peace and prosperity of the international community through extensive cooperation in areas ranging from economy and security to society and culture."

Calling Japan "our partner," the chief executive said, "In the past, we had to unshackle ourselves from political domination imposed by Japan so that we could regain and defend our freedom," adding, "Today, Japan is our partner as we face common threats that challenge the freedom of global citizens."

Turning to North Korea, he urged Pyeongyang to denuclearize and offered proposals for assistance as incentives.

"Denuclearization of North Korea is essential for sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula, in Northeast Asia and the entire world," the president said. "I will also propose a 'bold initiative' that significantly improves the North's economy and its people's livelihood in stages if it ceases nuclear weapons development and begins substantial denuclearization."

"We will implement a large-scale food program for North Korea; provide assistance for power generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure; carry out projects to modernize ports and airports for international trade; offer technical assistance programs to enhance agricultural productivity; help modernize hospitals and medical infrastructure; and implement initiatives for supporting international investment and finance."

Warning of growing uncertainty in the global economy, he said, "Above all, the Korean economy must achieve fiscal soundness to maintain its international credit rating."

"We will maintain fiscal soundness as much as possible through austerity measures and restructuring of the public sector," he added. "The additional finances secured through these measures will go to more support for low-income families and the socially disadvantaged."

"Guaranteeing an economic and cultural foundation for low-income families and the socially disadvantaged is the core of freedom and solidarity, two universal values we pursue."

arete@korea.kr