"Reference to 'arms reduction' presupposes North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons"
"If a declaration to end the war is pursued, Kim Jong Un will achieve his goals"
The ultimate goal of denuclearization must be made clear
Ahn Cheolsoo, a member of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jaemyung's remarks on North Korea's nuclear program, stating that they "effectively acknowledge North Korea as a nuclear-armed state."
On September 21, Ahn wrote on his Facebook page, "President Lee presented a three-step solution-halting North Korea's nuclear program, arms reduction, and denuclearization-in an interview with the American weekly magazine TIME. However, the very use of the term 'arms reduction' presupposes North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons." He went on to argue, "This implies that the path to North Korea's complete denuclearization may forever become unattainable."
He added, "If nuclear arms reduction negotiations between the United States and North Korea become serious, the United States could accept demands such as halting South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, withdrawing U.S. troops from South Korea, or easing sanctions against North Korea in exchange for reducing some of North Korea's nuclear threats." He warned, "Ultimately, the Korean Peninsula will enter a dangerous phase of so-called 'peace with nuclear weapons.'"
He also pointed out, "On the seventh anniversary of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement, President Lee Jaemyung stated that he would 'respect the North Korean regime, not pursue unification by absorption, and refrain from hostile acts.' Kim Jong Un must be rejoicing at this," he remarked sarcastically.
Ahn further stated, "What the Lee Jaemyung administration will likely pursue next is a declaration to end the war. If nuclear arms reduction negotiations and an end-of-war declaration are pushed forward, Kim Jong Un will achieve all his goals while retaining nuclear weapons, and unification of the Korean Peninsula will become even more distant."
In conclusion, he urged, "A single word from the president determines the fate of future generations in South Korea. Negotiations must be based on the ultimate goal of denuclearization, with thorough inspection and verification as prerequisites."
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