Rising Calls for 'Self-Nuclear Armament'... Asked ChatGPT

AI Highlights Negative Impact on International Relations
Domestic Public Opinion Leans Toward Positive Views

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As North Korea's nuclear provocations gradually escalate, voices calling for 'independent nuclear armament' are growing not only in the political sphere but also among the public.

Supporters of independent nuclear weapons development have exceeded 70% in multiple opinion polls, and about half of the population does not trust the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Recently, we asked ChatGPT, a 'conversational artificial intelligence (AI)' praised by President Yoon Seok-yeol, what consequences independent nuclear armament might bring.

On the 26th, Korean Central TV reported that Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, directly organized and commanded a 'demonstration firing' of a new tactical guided weapon (short-range ballistic missile) on the 25th in response to the South Korea-U.S. military exercises and the South's introduction of new military equipment.

ChatGPT's response: "Negative impact on relations with the U.S."

On the 30th, when asked by ChatGPT about 'what could happen if South Korea pursued independent nuclear armament without relying on the U.S. nuclear umbrella,' ChatGPT described that independent nuclear armament could ▲trigger domestic and international controversies, ▲negatively affect relations with the U.S. and other countries, ▲increase public anxiety, ▲lead to military conflicts with neighboring countries, and ▲have adverse effects on international economic relations.

Specifically, when asked whether South Korea's independent nuclear armament could provoke North Korea and lead to nuclear war, ChatGPT answered, "South Korea's nuclear armament would increase North Korea's vigilance, create a situation close to nuclear war, and escalate military conflicts between South and North Korea." It also noted that international pressure would increase, with neighboring countries urging improvements in inter-Korean relations.

This aligns with the arguments of those opposing independent nuclear armament domestically. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed opposition at the Supreme Council meeting on the 13th, stating, "North Korea faced economic sanctions from the international community for attempting nuclear armament, and (independent nuclear armament) could cause serious problems for the ROK-U.S. alliance." Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, also pointed out on KBS radio last year that "it would lead to diplomatic and economic isolation."

ChatGPT is a conversational AI that has caused a sensation in the IT and AI industries, mentioned by President Yoon during the Ministry of the Interior and Safety briefing on the 25th. It answers questions in a conversational manner by comprehensively reasoning like a human. However, since it is based on English, its responses in Korean can be somewhat awkward, and it cannot answer questions related to data after 2021.

When asked in English whether the U.S. would protect South Korea even if its own territory was threatened by North Korean missiles, ChatGPT replied, "It is difficult to predict." This is due to many variables such as the specifics of the threat, military strength on both sides, and political situations. However, it gave a general answer, stating, "Considering the ROK-U.S. alliance, the allied defense would be thorough if a conflict occurs."

Positive aspects of nuclear armament: "Strengthening national status"

Considering the overly negative responses, we also asked about the positive aspects of independent nuclear armament. The answer was that independent nuclear armament could strengthen the nation's status, secure national stability, gain an advantageous position internationally, and enhance military power. This is similar to the logic of those advocating for independent nuclear armament domestically.

On the same day, Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, posted on his social media, "We possess a large amount of nuclear material, nuclear development technology, and money. If we decide, we can have warheads surpassing North Korea's in a short period, and the U.S. could gain a new power to check China in Northeast Asia. Also, even if the U.S. Forces Korea withdraw, we can achieve self-reliant defense," he emphasized. On the same day, a public opinion poll titled 'North Korean Nuclear Crisis and Security Situation Awareness' released by the Choi Jong-hyun Institute showed that 76.6% of 1,000 respondents favored 'independent nuclear development.'

Roh Young-ho, a member of the People Power Party, the ruling party's ranking member of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and a former North Korean diplomat, stated, "Through the Ukraine war, North Korea is trying to restore the North Korea-Russia relationship to a Cold War-era military alliance, and if North Korea, which already possesses nuclear weapons, secures new cutting-edge military support such as military reconnaissance satellites from Russia, it will pose a serious threat to us." He argued, "At this moment when the wave of the new Cold War is approaching, the most certain way to protect the Republic of Korea from nuclear threats is to have direct deterrence through independent nuclear armament."