Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
Asan Institute chair calls for redeployment of US tactical nukes
Chung Mong-joon, founder and honorary chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, gives a lecture at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
Chung Mong-joon, founder and honorary chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, called for the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula as a means to counter North Korea's growing nuclear threats.
During a lecture held at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul on Friday, Chung stressed that redeploying tactical nuclear weapons is a realistic option and urged serious discussions with the U.S on the matter, according to the Seoul-based think tank.
Around 100 people, including students and members of the general public, attended the lecture, titled "North Korea’s Nuclear Threat and Our Response: Tactical Nuclear Redeployment and an Asian Version of NATO as Practical Alternatives."
Chung said that in the face of Pyongyang’s escalating nuclear threats, a policy of appeasement is no longer feasible. Instead, he stressed the need for a show of strength.
"The more confident North Korea becomes in its nuclear capabilities, the more tempted it will be to provoke South Korea," Chung said. "Also, given that prolonged economic hardships have weakened its conventional military power, the North may consider occupying a specific area more effective than launching a full-scale war."
He added, "We now need to take an approach of ‘thinking the unthinkable,’ and that is the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula."
The U.S. withdrew its tactical nuclear weapons from South Korea in late 1991 under President George H. W. Bush’s nuclear reduction initiatives.
In light of current threats, Chung emphasized the importance of engaging in frank discussions with Washington about discussions related to the possible redeployment of these weapons.
Chung also proposed establishing an "Asian version of NATO" as a viable strategy to counter growing threats from Pyongyang, Beijing and Moscow.
"The U.S.,along with its allies and partners, must move beyond bilateral alliances and create a new framework for collective security ties to demonstrate firm stance in deterring the military adventurism of North Korea, China and Russia," he said.