South Korea's President Yoon Seok-yeol said on Wednesday that his government will implement its own nuclear deterrent in the face of the growing nuclear threat fromNorth Korea. He said he had no plans to pursue power. He urged North Korea to return to dialogue aimed at exchanging denuclearization measures for economic benefits.
At a press conference in Seoul, Yoon said South Korea did not want political change in North Korea to be brought about by force, amid a confrontation that would continue between rivals. Tensions over North Korea's accelerating weapons program called for diplomacy aimed at building a possible peace.
Yoon's comments come days after he proposed a "bold" economic aid package to North Korea if it abandons its nuclear weapons program, calling for a "bold" response to COVID-19. He avoided harsh criticism of North Korea after threatening "lethal" retaliation. The outbreak is the south's fault.
Tensions could rise further next week as the United Statesand South Korea begin their biggest joint military drills in years to counter the North Korean threat . North Korea describes such drills as rehearsals for aggression and has often responded with missile tests and other provocations.
Yoon's proposals for large-scale aid for food and medical care, as well as power and port infrastructure modernization, have been rejected by North Korea, which is accelerating its development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Similar to the proposal. Kim Jong Un is his strongest guarantee of survival.
Still, Yoon expressed hope for a "meaningful dialogue" with North Korea on his plan, stating that if North Korea commits to a true "roadmap," Seoul will move forward in phases. China is ready to provide corresponding economic rewards at each stage of the denuclearization process. In the direction of completely abandoning the weapons program.
"We're not saying 'fully denuclearize first and then provide,'" Yun said. "What we want to say is that if they show a firm commitment (toward denuclearization), we will do what we can according to their steps."
Disarmament Amid a larger nuclear stalemate between North Korea and the United States that was derailed in early 2019 by disagreements over the easing of devastating US-led sanctions on North Korea in exchange for measures, inter-Korean relations are on the verge of slipping.
North Korea is accelerating its missile tests at a record pace in 2022 and has so far launched more than 30 ballistic weapons, including It also includes the first intercontinental ballistic missile in nearly five years.
Increased nuclear test activity has led the United States to accept North Korea's view as a nuclear power and to negotiate economic and security concessions from a strong position. It underscores North Korea's dual intentions, experts said. Say. With signs that North Korea is preparing to conduct its first nuclear test since September 2017, when he claimed to have developed a thermonuclear weapon that could be mounted on an ICBM, Kim quickly pegged the stakes. can raise the
Kim's ICBM has attracted international attention, but North Korea is also expanding the range of its nuclear-capable short-range missiles that can target South Korea. Kim Jong-un has suspended weapons development over threats to actively use his nuclear weapons in conflicts with South Korea and the United States, and experts say this could lead to an escalating nuclear arsenal that could raise concerns for neighbors. He said he was telling the theory.
President Yoon said through an alliance with the United States to resume large-scale military drills that were suspended or scaled back during the Trump era, and strengthen South Korea's missile defenses, thereby bolstering South Korea's defenses. The Biden administration also reaffirmed U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan, including "extended deterrence," referring to assurances that full military force, including nuclear power, would defend allies.
But some experts say it is becoming clear that South Korea has no clear-cut way of countering North Korea's influence over its nuclear weapons. It has expressed concern that the missiles may deter Washington from protecting its allies in the event of war. A potential threat to cities in the continental United States.
Some South Koreans are calling for the reintroduction of US tactical nuclear weapons withdrawn from South Korea in the 1990s, or for Seoul to pursue its own deterrence.
Yoon denied the latter possibility at a press conference, saying Seoul remains committed to international treaties aimed at preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
"I believe that the NPT [Nuclear Proliferation Treaty] regime is a very important and necessary precondition for lasting world peace," Yoon said, noting that the United States will continue to deter allies. Strategies may evolve to counter the growing North Korean threat.
Yoon's comments come after North Korea claimed victory over COVID-19 last week, but blamed South Korea for the outbreak. North Korea claims that leaflets and other objects flew across its border by activists spread the virus, an unscientific claim that Seoul describes as "absurd."
44} North Korea has a history of putting pressure on South Korea if it doesn't get what it wants from the United States, and there are concerns that North Korean threats portend provocation. Even missile tests and border skirmishes. Some experts say North Korea could escalate tensions over joint military exercises between allies that begin next week.