FM Cho voices caution over calls for S. Korea to consider nuclear options

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul / Yonhap

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul expressed caution Wednesday over growing calls in South Korea for the country to have its own nuclear options, calling a strong deterrence based on the alliance with the United State the "most desirable" approach.

Cho made the remark as the idea of South Korea considering building its own nuclear capabilities has gained traction in political circles amid deepening military ties between Russia and North Korea.

The suggestion also drew attention after Adm. Samuel Paparo, the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, told South Korean reporters that the allies "can move forward at a later date" based on an operational analysis, when asked about South Korea introducing a nuclear-powered submarine.

"Those issues in relation to nuclear capabilities need further consideration, beyond (revising) the South Korea-U.S. agreement on peaceful use of nuclear energy," Cho said in a National Assembly session in response to a lawmaker's question.

"The question of nuclear armament is also an issue that needs careful and comprehensive consideration, in terms of the potential clash with the NPT (Non-proliferation Treaty) regime and economic risks," Cho said.

Cho added that he sees Paparo's comment as a response to a hypothetical situation based on certain preconditions.

Cho also emphasized that the option of South Korea going nuclear is not the government's position.

"At this stage, strengthening the (U.S.) nuclear deterrence is the most realistic and desirable policy option," he said.

In a policy report submitted to the National Assembly, the foreign ministry said South Korea is seeking to solidify its alliance with the United States, moving beyond the outcome of the U.S. presidential election this November.

The ministry said it is "closely monitoring" the election trends with relevant agencies and using its networks in various communities in the U.S.

"We seek to solidify the foundation of the alliance and smoothly address major issues by expanding and systematically managing our friendly networks with U.S. political circles and policy-related communities," the ministry said.

"The South Korea-U.S. alliance enjoys bipartisan support and is based not only on government-to-government relations but also on active economic and people-to-people partnerships," the ministry said.

"We are meticulously preparing as we look beyond the (U.S.) election," it added.

On the deepening of military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, the government will continue to take stern action against any development in their illegal partnership and also continue to urge China to play a role, the ministry said.

"As we take note of the differences in China's position and the positions of Russia and North Korea, we will continue to have high-level communications with China," the ministry said.

The ministry said it will reinforce its firm stance against the military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang that undermine South Korea's core security interests while continuing to coordinate with the international community to urge Russia to "act responsibly."

With China, the government will push to hold more high-level diplomatic talks going forward, including a vice-ministerial dialogue and public-private policy talks, to maintain strategic communications for a "healthy and mature" relationship.

On relations with Japan, it said it will work closely with Tokyo to advance the bilateral ties in a future-oriented manner, particularly as next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of the bilateral relations. (Yonhap)