South Korean Defence Chief Cautions on Nuclear Weapons Amid Complex Challenges
South Korea is in nuclear dilemma.
Defense Minister Shin Won-sik speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his office in Seoul on Jan. 10. Yonhap. via wwwa.koreatimes.co.k
August 8, SEOUL- Defence Minister Shin Won-ski told Reuters that South Korea may shock financial markets and damage its ties with the United States if it began developing nuclear weapons.
He dismissed growing internal calls for the nation to establish its own arsenal to deter North Korea.
More South Korean officials and members of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s conservative ruling party have called for the development of nuclear weapons in recent months as the neighbouring North quickly increases its nuclear and missile capabilities.
There are multiple complications with some Severe necessity for South Korea to arm itself with technologically advanced weapons or maybe with nuclear weapons.
While, there is nationwide debate on developing a nuclear weapon, as North Korea’s dominance in the region is rising day by day, creating an alarming situation for its bitterest foe Seoul.
The discussion has been heightened by the possibility of another term for former US President Donald Trump, who has complained about the expense of the US military presence in South Korea and initiated historic negotiations with the North.
In an interview with Bloomberg Business, Trump said, “I think Taiwan should pay us for defence,” You know, we’re no different than an insurance company.”
While his stance on South Korea is no different, Trump’s Second term is possible as Kamala Harris has very little time left to compete with her competition, after Biden’s sudden decision to step down from Presidential race.
However, Shin, a former three-star army general, and Yoon’s party lawmaker, claimed that a nuclear arsenal produced domestically ran the risk of having catastrophic effects on the South’s economy and diplomatic standing, similar to what observers dubbed Black Monday this week due to the worst stock market losses since 2008.
“You’ll face a huge crack in the U.S. alliance, and if we withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, it will bring various penalties, starting with an immediate shock in our financial market,” he stated in an interview.
Shin agreed that the discussion among lawmakers and specialists in foreign policy indicated that many South Koreans remained concerned about American extended deterrence, or the country’s strength in arms, particularly its nuclear arsenal.
However, he stressed that the “easiest, most effective and peaceful” method to confront the North’s threats is for the partners to push for strengthening that deterrent.
Speaking from his office in Seoul, the capital of South Korea, Shin stated, “Even in Northeast Asia, there are forces who are openly seeking to change the status quo by force, and we are at the forefront, directly affected.”
North Korea has transformed from “being a headache in Asia to a global villain” by signing a treaty of strategic partnership with Russia this year, he said, while Moscow damaged its own reputation by “begging for help” from Pyongyang and betraying the international community by going to war with Ukraine.
If Russia shares cutting-edge technology with North Korea, South Korea hinted that it might supply Ukraine with deadly weapons.
Russian help for a rocket engine used in an unsuccessful attempt to launch a spy satellite was given to North Korea.
The technologies associated with intercontinental ballistic missiles, nuclear weapons, anti-aircraft weaponry, radars, tanks, and fighter jets are South Korea’s “red line.”
It is possible that North Korea sent 5.6 million artillery munitions to Russia in more than 12,000 containers.
South Korea hasn’t discussed naval drills in the South China Sea with other allies, despite Yoon’s administration’s alignment with the United States.
In recent weeks, tensions between the neighbors have risen as a result of North Korea’s hundreds of trash-filled balloons launched in protest against South Korean activists who have been mailing anti-Pyongyang pamphlets.
In 2018, Seoul started up its border loudspeaker broadcasts again, blasting K-pop songs and news in an “effective, stinging” psychological warfare tactic, according to Shin.
The unexpected defection of Ri Il Gyu, a senior North Korean ambassador stationed in Cuba, and the involvement of Jin, a member of the K-pop group BTS, in the torch relay for the Paris Olympics, were among the recently added stories.
“I understand that North Korea has been struggling to block BTS’ popularity as there was a craze among young people imitating their dances,” Shin said, declining to identify the source of the information.
“The loudspeaker campaign would have a long-term impact as a key catalyst in driving change in society and could potentially provide a momentum for the North’s denuclearisation if we work more with the international community.”
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