Yoon Seok-yeol "Europe and Korea Are in Different Situations"
Hong Joon-pyo "Can Achieve Nuclear Balance"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Yoon Seok-yeol, a presidential candidate from the People Power Party, expressed concerns that the NATO-style tactical nuclear deployment policy proposed by his competitor, Representative Hong Jun-pyo, could potentially harm national interests. Representative Hong stated that NATO-style nuclear sharing could be achieved through an independent nuclear development card.
On the 23rd, during the second debate of the People Power Party presidential primary, former Prosecutor General Yoon raised objections to Representative Hong's security pledge. He said, "Regarding the security pledge, I expressed the position that we should strengthen extended deterrence by expanding the procedures and consultations for our involvement when the United States uses intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)." He added, "Representative Hong mentioned that he might consider an independent nuclear armament card, but if NATO-style nuclear sharing is implemented, it would tacitly acknowledge North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons, leading to the abandonment of denuclearization diplomatic negotiations and moving toward nuclear disarmament talks. Furthermore, independent nuclear armament would be in complete violation of the non-proliferation regime, which could result in significant isolation from the international community," expressing his concerns.
In response, Representative Hong argued, "Sharing the use of the U.S. ICBMs is impossible," and stated, "What we consider important is not intercontinental ballistic missiles but North Korea's nuclear missiles." He referred to former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, who used the possibility of independent nuclear development as a negotiation card to achieve NATO-style nuclear sharing with the United States, and claimed, "We can also achieve nuclear balance by signaling that we can develop nuclear weapons."
Former Prosecutor General Yoon countered, "The circumstances in Europe and our country are completely different," and said, "If this happens, it will lead to nuclear disarmament, and if nuclear disarmament negotiations occur, there is a high possibility that the other side will bring up cards such as the dissolution of the UN Command, peace negotiations, or the withdrawal of U.S. troops stationed in Korea. Although it may sound refreshing to the public at first glance, this could cause significant damage to our national interests if we engage in other nuclear disarmament negotiations related to nuclear talks in the future."
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