Regarding criticisms from some political circles that the 'Washington Declaration' resulting from the South Korea-US summit signifies abandoning independent nuclear armament, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party, pointed out that such criticism is unjust, stating that "independent nuclear armament was a path to national ruin from the start."
On the 28th, Ha said through his social media (SNS), "Independent nuclear armament for our country was a path to national ruin from the beginning. It means the dismantling of the South Korea-US alliance and a fast train to becoming a developing country."
The public opinion advocating for independent nuclear armament has been raised mainly within the ruling party. Major presidential candidates in the ruling party mentioned the necessity of 'possessing nuclear weapons,' and candidates for party leadership ahead of the party convention also proposed a hardline nuclear stance. In January, President Yoon also mentioned the possibility of independent nuclear armament during the New Year work briefing with the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
As North Korea's nuclear provocations intensify, the public is also turning in favor of independent nuclear possession. According to an independent public opinion poll released earlier this month by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, 64.3% supported independent nuclear development.
However, Ha pointed out that independent nuclear armament could undermine the achievements made so far. He said, "As confirmed during President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to the United States, South Korea has become a global leadership country in all fields including democracy, economy, security, and culture. This is a great achievement that our people have worked hard for with blood and sweat since liberation." He added, "But if we pursue independent nuclear armament, all these achievements will collapse in an instant."
He continued, "The South Korea-US alliance will be broken, and international sanctions will destroy our economy. The damage will be at a level comparable to being hit by a nuclear bomb while trying to arm ourselves." He emphasized, "Therefore, independent nuclear armament was not even an option for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration from the start. The goal was to strengthen extended deterrence to NATO levels, and through this Washington Declaration, we agreed on Korean-style nuclear sharing."
He said, "Criticism that we have abandoned independent nuclear armament is completely misplaced," adding, "The core of Korean-style nuclear sharing is the regular deployment of strategic assets and the establishment of a nuclear consultation group. Compared to the existing nuclear umbrella promises or extended deterrence, this is a groundbreaking development."
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