Yoon calls for thorough countermeasures against 'illegal' N. Korea-Russia military cooperation

President Yoon Suk Yeol on Monday called for thorough countermeasures against the "illegal" military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, saying that the deepening alliance between Pyongyang and Moscow poses a significant security threat to South Korea.

In a parliamentary address read by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Yoon pledged to bolster security and defense amid growing security concerns posed by North Korea's troop deployment to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine.

"The recent international security situation and the illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia pose a significant threat to our national security," Yoon said. "We will thoroughly review all possible scenarios to prepare countermeasures."

Yoon said South Korea has significantly bolstered its deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threats through its robust alliance with the United States and the trilateral security cooperation involving Japan, and promised to strengthen security readiness based on the security frameworks.

At the same time, Yoon committed to expand support for North Korean defectors and raising awareness of human rights issues in North Korea by hosting international dialogues on the issue.

"We will work to expand the international community's understanding and support for the vision of a free and unified Korea," Yoon said.

The speech outlined the details of next year's budget of 677.4 trillion won ($493.65 billion), a 3.2 percent increase from the previous year.

It marked the first time in 11 years that a sitting president has opted not to deliver the budget speech in person.

Yoon said the budget proposal includes cuts in unnecessary projects in line with a "sound fiscal policy," while prioritizing the welfare of vulnerable groups and fostering economic growth to address complex challenges.

"In the two and a half years since the government was launched, there has not been a single day without significant difficulties both at home and abroad," Yoon said.

"Our economy has faced severe challenges due to the global complex crisis, including persistently high interest rates, inflation and uncertainty in the financial markets, along with economic slowdowns in major countries, have led to a decline in our exports," he added.

Yoon emphasized the budget proposal focuses on the government's reform agenda for health care, pensions, labor and education to address challenges posed by a low birth rate and an aging population.

"The four major reforms on pension, labor, education and health care are urgent and critical tasks that must be undertaken immediately for the survival of the nation," Yoon said. "The government is committed to completing these reforms despite any challenges."

The president outlined initiatives to boost the low birth rate and requested parliamentary support for creating the Ministry of Population Strategy, a proposed control tower to manage the demographic crisis.

"I urge the National Assembly to swiftly pass the necessary legislation, including the Government Organization Act, to promptly launch the Ministry of Population Strategy," he said.

The statutory budget deadline is set for Dec. 2, though the National Assembly has met this deadline only twice in the past two decades, in 2015 and 2021.

During the plenary session, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik expressed "strong regret" over Yoon's skipping of the address, saying people will be "very disappointed" by the decision.

"The president's refusal to present the budget address is an infringement on people's rights," Woo said. "As a leader of the National Assembly, which represents the public, I express strong regret."

In September, Yoon also opted not to attend the opening session of the 22nd Assembly, marking the first absence by an incumbent president from the ceremony since 1987. (Yonhap)