Trump's Second-Term US Defense Nominee Calls North Korea a 'Nuclear State'... Japan Says "Unacceptable"

Concerns Over Possible Shift in Denuclearization Goals
Demand for Complete Dismantlement of North Korea's Nuclear and Missile Programs

On the 15th, the Japanese government strongly opposed Pete Hegseth, the nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense under the second Trump administration, referring to North Korea as a "nuclear power." The Japanese government reaffirmed its existing stance of demanding the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

At a regular press conference that afternoon, Yoshimasa Hayashi, spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated, "North Korea's development of nuclear weapons and missiles threatens the peace and security of our country (Japan) and the international community, and we absolutely cannot accept it."

Hayashi further said, "The United Nations Security Council resolutions repeatedly stipulate that North Korea must carry out the 'complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement' (CVID) of all its weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges. Our country will work with the United States, South Korea, and the international community to fully implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and demand the complete dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs."

Earlier, nominee Hegseth used the term "nuclear power" to describe North Korea in his written opening statement for the Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, stating that the North Korean nuclear threat poses a danger not only to the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region but also globally.

Although he is still a nominee, concerns have arisen that the use of the term "nuclear power," which U.S. officials have previously refrained from using, might indicate a future shift in the U.S. government's longstanding goal of denuclearization.

Finally, Hayashi emphasized, "Cooperation with the international community, including the United States, is essential in responding to North Korea, including the issue of abductees and nuclear and missile development. The Japanese government will work closely with the U.S. government following the inauguration of the Trump administration."