Yoon's 'Independent Nuclear Armament' Remark Surprises... North Korea Says "Security Anxiety Heightened"

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[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] North Korea has mobilized its propaganda media to criticize President Yoon Suk-yeol's recent mention of 'independent nuclear armament.' This time, instead of using harsh language, they moderated the tone by quoting evaluations from South Korean media and political circles, which is interpreted as expressing wariness toward our government's strong commitment to extended deterrence.

North Korea's external propaganda media Meori stated on the 26th, "Not long ago, Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized in the reports from the puppet Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of National Defense that if the 'North Korean nuclear issue' worsens, South Korea might deploy tactical nuclear weapons or even pursue independent nuclear armament," calling it "a statement that heightens security anxiety."

Then, it gathered and listed only the negative evaluations from South Korean media, political circles, and civil society regarding President Yoon's 'independent nuclear armament' remarks.

President Yoon Suk-yeol receiving a briefing on foreign affairs and national defense Photo by Yonhap News

The media argued, "The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, are condemning it as 'an act that forcibly pushes the Korean Peninsula into war,'" and "Experts also emphasize that if South Korea withdraws from the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) and attempts nuclear armament, it cannot avoid serious economic and diplomatic losses and deterioration of relations with the United States."

Another propaganda media, Uri Minjokkkiri, also claimed, "According to South Korean media reports, voices condemning Yoon Suk-yeol's reckless talk of independent nuclear armament are growing louder across various social strata."

Earlier, on the 11th, President Yoon mentioned during the Ministry of National Defense's annual report, "South Korea may deploy tactical nuclear weapons or possess its own nuclear weapons." This was read as expressing a strong will to respond in case North Korea's provocations escalate.

Subsequently, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) released on the 20th, President Yoon reaffirmed the policy of maintaining the 'denuclearization principle of the Korean Peninsula,' stating, "At present, respecting the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty) system is realistic and reasonable."