[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] Reports have emerged that the United States considered resuming nuclear testing, which it has suspended since 1992.
On the 22nd (local time), The Washington Post (WP) reported, citing senior U.S. administration officials and two former officials, that such discussions took place at a meeting held on the 15th with heads of national security agencies.
At the meeting of national security agency heads, recent suspicions of nuclear tests by Russia and China were reportedly on the agenda. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, "There was talk that if the U.S. also conducted nuclear tests, it would be useful in negotiating nuclear arms reduction with Russia and China," adding, "No conclusion was reached on whether to resume nuclear testing, but it was decided to continue discussions."
Another official stated, "The meeting concluded that instead of resuming nuclear testing, other measures should be devised to respond to Russia and China."
In particular, multiple intelligence sources reported that the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) strongly opposed the resumption of nuclear testing. Regarding this meeting, the White House National Security Council (NSC) declined to comment, WP reported.
Currently, major nuclear powers comply with the ban on nuclear testing, but the U.S. has recently claimed that Russia and China violated the zero-yield test standard by conducting low-yield nuclear tests that released nuclear energy. Both countries deny these allegations.
Meanwhile, if the U.S. resumes nuclear testing, it would be the first such test in 28 years. The Trump administration had declared it would not pursue new nuclear tests, unlike Russia or China, but stated that it reserves the right to conduct nuclear tests if the two countries refuse negotiations.
This discussion also serves as a kind of warning to Russia and China that the U.S. can resume nuclear testing at any time.
However, the U.S. has suspended nuclear testing since 1992, and advocates for non-proliferation warn that nuclear testing could undermine global security stability.
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