[Breaking] Kim Moonsoo: "We Must Secure Retaliatory Strike Capabilities Against North Korea" vs Lee Jaemyung: "Nuclear Armament Would Trigger Domino Effect"

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, emphasized on the 18th, "We must establish a multi-layered defense system by linking the US Forces Korea, US nuclear submarines and strategic bombers, as well as US military assets in Guam and Japan. At the same time, we must also secure retaliatory strike capabilities that can destroy North Korea's command leadership if necessary."

During the first round of the 21st presidential election candidates' debate held at the SBS studio in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul that afternoon, Kim stated, "Without security, there can be no trade or economy," reiterating his position.

In response, Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, countered, "If we argue that since North Korea has nuclear weapons, we should also possess them, it will trigger a nuclear domino effect that could spread to Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, making it unfeasible." He further argued, "The United States would never approve, and we would have to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and endure economic sanctions, so it is not possible."

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is attending the 21st presidential election candidates debate hosted by the National Election Broadcasting Debate Commission held at SBS Prism Tower in Mapo-gu, Seoul on the 18th. On the left is Lee Jaemyung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea. 2025.5.18 Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The two candidates also clashed over diplomacy with China and the South Korea-US alliance. Kim claimed, "When Lee was the mayor of Seongnam, he called for the withdrawal of THAAD, and as the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, he remained silent even when the Chinese ambassador to South Korea made threatening remarks. China was our enemy during the Korean War, while the United States is the ally that protected us."

In response, Lee argued, "The South Korea-US alliance is the foundation of Korea's diplomacy and security, and it should be further developed from a security alliance into an economic alliance. At the same time, diplomacy with China and Russia must be managed pragmatically. It is not desirable to have an attitude of 'going all-in' on the United States," refuting Kim's claims.