Opposition to the Redeployment of Tactical Nuclear Weapons in South Korea Indicated
[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, stated on the 1st, "The deterrence capability possessed by the United States truly exists and can especially deter threats from North Korea." He clearly expressed a negative stance regarding South Korea's potential possession of nuclear weapons or the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons.
Ambassador Goldberg made these remarks while attending the '2023 Forum W' hosted by the Korean Women Journalists Association at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, in the afternoon. The forum was held under the theme "The Situation on the Korean Peninsula and the ROK-U.S. Alliance."
Ambassador Goldberg emphasized, "Discussions on extended deterrence between South Korea and the United States are ongoing and progressing," adding, "Extended deterrence ultimately means providing all the capabilities that the United States possesses." He acknowledged, "I am aware that there are various discussions related to nuclear weapons within South Korea, but we are currently focusing on joint efforts that South Korea and the United States can undertake together."
In response to a question about whether the growing concerns over North Korea's nuclear weapons might expand into discussions about redeploying tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, he said, "The ROK and the U.S. are discussing extended deterrence utilizing all available resources, including nuclear weapons," and explained, "This refers to the use of nuclear weapons in a protective and deterrent capacity should a situation arise that necessitates their use." Regarding the proposal by the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, he described it as "a discussion that can occur in a free and open society," reiterating that this differs from the official position of the U.S. government.
When asked whether future ROK-U.S. discussions might include South Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons or the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons, given assessments that North Korea is nearing the status of a nuclear-armed state, Goldberg responded, "Discussions on nuclear deterrence pertain to what currently exists," and dismissed the idea as "not concerning any additional measures that might be taken in the future."
Addressing concerns that the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) might harm South Korean companies, he stated, "The IRA was not created to harm allied countries," adding, "There may be concerns related to tax benefits for electric vehicles, and discussions are ongoing about possible solutions."
He further explained, "The United States relies on South Korean companies to achieve carbon reduction goals," and expressed hope that "more investments from South Korean companies will be made through friend-shoring and other means."
Regarding issues between South Korea and Japan, such as forced labor, he emphasized that consultations between the involved countries should take priority. He said, "Since these are matters under discussion between South Korea and Japan, the United States cannot say it will play a direct role." He also noted, "The development of South Korea-Japan relations is important for the trilateral relationship among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan."
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