The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Thu, August 11, 2022 | 17:39
Key Saenuri Party members back nuclear armament
Posted : 2016-09-12 19:02
Updated : 2016-09-12 19:02
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Defense Minister Han Min-koo, right, speaks during a forum at the National Assembly, Monday, arranged by Rep. Won Yoo-chul, second from right, and other lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party to discuss measures to resolve issues involving North Korea's nuclear program. / Yonhap
Defense Minister Han Min-koo, right, speaks during a forum at the National Assembly, Monday, arranged by Rep. Won Yoo-chul, second from right, and other lawmakers from the ruling Saenuri Party to discuss measures to resolve issues involving North Korea's nuclear program. / Yonhap

By Kim Hyo-jin


Key senior members of the ruling Saenuri Party are calling for the country to develop nuclear weapons as a means to counter threats from North Korea.

They argue that South Korea should be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons to better defend against the reclusive state's threats and play a leading role in resolving regional security issues.

Pyongyang's fifth nuclear test conducted on Friday added fuel to the pro-nuclear argument that had been limited to a few hawkish lawmakers.

Saenuri Party Chairman Lee Jung-hyun joined the call, Sunday, stressing the need for tougher measures against the North's nuclear moves.

"The time might have come to put the issue on the discussion table," Lee told reporters.

"The political sector should come up with much stricter measures than now in joint efforts with the government to tackle North Korea's imprudent nuclear and missile provocations."

N. Korea could pose war risk: Park
N. Korea could pose war risk: Park
2016-09-12 18:59  |  North Korea

Kim Moo-sung, the party's former chairman and a potential presidential contender, said the government should start seeking the capability of developing nuclear weapons by renegotiating the Korea-U.S. atomic energy agreement.

"We should think of all possible measures including obtaining nuclear powered attack submarines, developing a submarine-launched ballistic missile, and deploying the U.S.'s tactical nuclear weapons through renegotiations of the Korea-U.S. atomic energy agreement," he said on a Facebook post, Friday. "Not to mention a deployment of a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery."

Seoul will have to obtain cooperation from Washington in using its nuclear technology for the construction of nuclear powered attack submarines, according to the Korea-U.S. atomic energy agreement.

It bans technology and equipment that originates from the U.S. being used for military purposes and prohibits South Korea from enriching and reprocessing nuclear fuel.

The party's ex-floor leader Won Yoo-chul, who initiated the talk for nuclear armament in the political arena, held a forum Monday with fellow lawmaker to discuss the development of a South Korean nuclear arsenal.

He reiterated that South Korea needs to develop nuclear weapons for self-defense as it is the only substantial measure that can deter North Korea's additional nuclear provocations.

Won also proposed that the National Assembly set up a special committee to further discuss the matter.

However, it remains questionable if the lawmakers can gain momentum to push the talks further, pundits say.

A government official said on condition of anonymity that the vision of a nuclear-armed nation is unrealistic as the South Korean government remains firm in its stance for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

The government has to stick to a 1992 inter-Korean denuclearization declaration that states that the two Koreas will not develop or hold any nuclear weapons, he said.



Emailhyojinkim@ktimes.com Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Korea urged to take preemptive steps to deal with climate change-induced disasters
  • What Seoul's worst rainfall in 115 years looked like
  • Musinsa's new store becomes hot spot in southern Seoul
  • Flood damage to vehicles during torrential rain to hit insurers
  • 'Children must play right now'
  • Bill Gates expected to meet with top business leaders in Korea
  • Seoul reiterates that '3 Nos' policy is not commitment to China
  • Han River sunset cruise: Seoul's new tourist focal point
  • [INTERVIEW] Polish arms deal may well lead to greater opportunities for Korea: expert
  • Samsung aims to attract more users with new foldable phones
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    • Crime thriller 'Limit' is about mother's quest to save abducted son Crime thriller 'Limit' is about mother's quest to save abducted son
    • From P1Harmony to Zico, K-pop hotshots to perform in Abu Dhabi next month From P1Harmony to Zico, K-pop hotshots to perform in Abu Dhabi next month
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group