President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea stated on Wednesday that his government has no plans to pursue its own nuclear deterrent in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear capabilities, even as Pyongyang launched two suspected cruise missiles toward the sea in its latest display of an expanding arsenal.
Yoon’s plea for Pyongyang to return to negotiation aimed at swapping disarmament measures for economic advantages came hours after the South’s military spotted the North firing missiles from the western coastal town of Onchon into the sea. The Joint Chiefs of Staff of South Korea did not immediately reveal more information, including the distance the weapons went.
Yoon’s office said that his director of national security, Kim Sung-han, discussed the launch with other officials prior to Yoon’s press conference and evaluation of the South’s military preparedness. Next week, the United States and South Korea will launch their largest joint exercise in years to tackle the North Korean menace, which might increase tensions. The North views these exercises as invasion preparations and has often retaliated with missile testing and other provocations.
Yoon informed the press South Korea does not seek a military-led political transition in North Korea, and he advocated for dialogue aimed at establishing a lasting peace between the adversaries in the midst of rising tensions over the North’s rapid nuclear development.
President Yoon Suk-yeol held his first formal press conference since assuming office in May, commemorating 100 days in office, on August 17, 2022 in Seoul, South Korea.
Yoon’s remarks were made days after he suggested a “audacious” economic aid package to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons development, while avoiding strong condemnation of the North after it threatened “deadly” reprisal over an outbreak of COVID-19 that it blames on the South.
Yoon’s proposal for large-scale aid in food and healthcare, as well as modernizing power and port infrastructure, was similar to previous South Korean offers that were rejected by North Korea, which is accelerating the development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles, which leader Kim Jong Un sees as his best chance for survival.
Nevertheless, Yoon expressed hope for “meaningful dialogue” with North Korea regarding his plan and emphasized that Seoul is willing to provide corresponding economic rewards at each phase of a phased denuclearization process if the North commits to a genuine “roadmap” leading to the complete abandonment of its weapons program.
Yoon said, “We are not demanding them to denuclearize completely before we assist.” “All we are saying is that if they demonstrate a strong commitment (to denuclearization), we will contribute what we can in response to their actions.”
Inter-Korean relations have deteriorated as a result of a deadlock in bigger nuclear discussions between North Korea and the United States, which stalled in early 2019 due to disputes about the easing of severe U.S.-led sanctions on the North in return for disarmament measures.
Tension in Korea
The Seoul Railway Station in Seoul, South Korea, on August 17, 2022, displays a television screen displaying a news program on North Korea’s missile launch with a file picture.
North Korea has conducted a record number of missile tests in 2022, firing over 30 ballistic weapons, including its first intercontinental ballistic missiles in over five years.
According to analysts, the increased testing activity demonstrates North Korea’s intention to both enhance its arsenal and compel the United States to recognize the notion of the North as a nuclear state so that it can negotiate economic and security concessions from a position of strength. There are signs that North Korea is poised to perform its first nuclear test since September 2017, when it claimed to have created a thermonuclear device compatible with its intercontinental ballistic missiles.
While Kim’s intercontinental ballistic missiles get the most of world attention, North Korea is also building its arsenal of short-range, nuclear-capable missiles that can attack South Korea. Kim has punctuated his weapons development with threats to proactively use his nuclear weapons in fights against the South or the U.S., which, according to analysts, communicates an expanding nuclear strategy that might deepen its neighbors’ anxiety.
Yoon has committed to bolster the South’s defenses via its alliance with the United States by restarting or expanding large-scale military training that was suspended or scaled down under the Trump administration and by enhancing the South’s missile defenses. The Biden administration has also reiterated U.S. obligations to protecting South Korea and Japan, including “extended deterrence,” a promise to defend its allies with all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons.
Some experts, however, assert that it is becoming increasingly apparent that South Korea has no clear way to counter the leverage North Korea has with its nuclear weapons, expressing concern that the United States might hesitate to defend its ally in the event of a war in which Kim’s ICBMs could pose a threat to American cities.
Some South Koreans have advocated for the reinstatement of U.S. nuclear weapons that were evacuated from South Korea in the 1990s, or for Seoul to seek its own deterrent.
During the press conference, Yoon denied the latter idea, stating that Seoul would remain committed to an international treaty aimed at stopping the spread of nuclear weapons.
Yoon expressed optimism that the U.S. deterrence policy for its allies may change to address North Korea’s rising danger.
North Korea this week claimed a widely contested victory over COVID-19 and also blamed South Korea for the outbreak, prompting Yoon’s remarks. North Korea asserts that leaflets and other materials flown over the border by activists spread the virus, a claim Seoul deems “ridiculous” since it lacks scientific merit.
North Korea has a history of increasing pressure on South Korea when it doesn’t receive what it wants from the United States. There are fears that North Korea’s warning portends a provocation, such as a nuclear or missile test or border clashes. According to some analysts, North Korea may exacerbate tensions during the next joint military drills between the partners, which begin next week.