"Lee Jae-myung Claims 'Unrealistic Nuclear Armament Theory' Is the Reason"
On the 17th, former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min responded to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who claimed that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designated South Korea as a "sensitive country" because of "nuclear armament," saying, "If this is baseless agitation, Leader Lee must take appropriate responsibility."
Yoo posted on Facebook that day, "Leader Lee Jae-myung asserted that the U.S. designated South Korea as a sensitive country due to an unrealistic nuclear armament theory," expressing his criticism.
Yoo criticized, "The U.S. has not said anything about the reason for designating South Korea as a sensitive country, so on what basis does the leader of the main opposition party assert that nuclear armament is the cause?"
In particular, Yoo said, "I hope Leader Lee reads the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Article 10, Paragraph 1 of the NPT clearly states that a country can withdraw from the NPT if an emergency threatens its vital interests. South Korea is exposed defenselessly to nuclear threats."
He then asked Leader Lee, "If nuclear armament, nuclear sharing, or redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons are not allowed, what is your alternative?" He added, "Is your solution to repeat the Moon Jae-in administration’s North Korea policy, which ended in a dismal failure after begging for peace from North Korea?"
Meanwhile, according to diplomatic sources, in January, just before the inauguration of Donald Trump’s second administration, the U.S. DOE added South Korea to the "List of Sensitive Countries and Other Designated Countries." The DOE defines sensitive countries as "countries requiring special consideration for policy reasons." The DOE explains that sensitive countries can be designated for reasons such as national security situations, nuclear non-proliferation, or prevention of terrorism support.
At the highest-level meeting held that day, Leader Lee criticized the sensitive country designation, saying, "It is clear that cooperation and coordination between South Korea and the U.S. in AI, nuclear power, and advanced technology fields will be restricted. This is a truly serious situation," calling it "a complete diplomatic failure, a diplomatic disaster, and a failure of the government."
He continued, "Claims that South Korea can or should be nuclear-armed within a year are empty boasts and unrealistic nuclear armament theories," criticizing, "In a country like South Korea, martial law was declared without notifying or even responding to the ally." He added, "This situation has increased distrust in the South Korean national system and seems to have resulted in the sensitive country designation."
Regarding the joint declaration issued when President Yoon Suk-yeol met then-U.S. President Joe Biden in April 2023, which included the phrase reaffirming South Korea’s existing position to comply with its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the U.S.-South Korea nuclear cooperation agreement, Leader Lee criticized, "They made him repeat it because they thought (South Korea) might violate the NPT."
He emphasized, "To arm with nuclear weapons, South Korea must break the nuclear cooperation agreement with the U.S., withdraw from the International Atomic Energy Agency, and prepare for international economic sanctions and a life like North Korea’s. The only way to resolve this crisis is to restore South Korea as a normal country."
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