How did Yoon Suk-Yeol’s approach to North Korea differ from Moon Jae-In’s approach?

The approaches of Moon Jae-In and Yoon Suk-Yeol toward North Korea represent a fundamental shift in South Korean foreign policy, moving from a strategy of engagement to one of confrontation.

• Moon Jae-In’s Approach: During his presidency, Moon advocated for a conciliatory and open attitude toward the North, echoing the historical "sunshine policy." His administration prioritized diplomatic engagement, which facilitated high-level contacts and summits between the two Koreas in 2018. While he initially opposed defensive measures like the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, he eventually supported its deployment following North Korean missile tests.123

• Yoon Suk-Yeol’s Approach: In contrast, Yoon adopted a hard-line stance toward North Korea. His policy focused on punishing threats with sanctions rather than pursuing the engagement strategies favored by his predecessor. Additionally, Yoon sought to deepen South Korea’s military and diplomatic alliances with the United States and Japan as a countermeasure to North Korean aggression.41