Foreign minister says it's too early to talk about nuclear armament

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul listens to Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun's questions during the National Assembly’s interpellation session, Wednesday. Yonhap

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said on Wednesday it is too early to talk about nuclear armament in South Korea during the National Assembly’s interpellation session on foreign affairs, unification and security affairs.

Asked about U.S. President Donald Trump’s possible demand on renegotiating the defense-cost sharing agreement, Cho said the government is preparing for all scenarios. However, he said South Korea has no intention of bringing up the issue before the U.S.

“Acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines could be considered a future option, but we will take [a] step-by-step [approach] to find the most effective way,” Cho said.

The foreign minister said pursuing the ultimate goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization remains unchanged despite Trump calling the North a “nuclear power.”

“South Korea and the U.S. share a unified stance on the goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization,” he said.

Cho stressed that communication channels with the U.S. remain strong, despite worries that South Korea may be sidelined in negotiations to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue.

“Although there are concerns about the leadership void, [South] Korea will not be sidelined on the North Korea issue. The fact that the U.S. and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization during their recent summit holds significance,” he said.

Opposition parties accused the ruling People Power Party (PPP) of aligning with far-right radicals and shielding President Yoon Suk Yeol amid his impeachment trial over his botched martial law imposition.

“PPP lawmakers, who are responsible for the martial law fallout, are going the extra mile for Yoon by visiting him at the detention center and protesting against the impartiality of justices involved in Yoon’s impeachment case,” Rep. Lee Choon-suak of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said.

“Several PPP lawmakers, including its floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, visited the Constitutional Court this morning when they should be focusing on normalizing our economy and people’s livelihoods.”

Earlier in the day, the DPK submitted a bill mandating a special counsel probe into Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker suspected of intervening in the PPP's candidate nominations ahead of the 2022 by-elections and April general elections.

A parliamentary interpellation session at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap

Meanwhile, the PPP questioned the legitimacy of the investigations into the martial law case and Yoon’s impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court. It also criticized Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the DPK, for suddenly shifting to the right in the name of pragmatism.

“Lee, who has publicly said he sees Japan as a ‘hostile state’ and criticized Yoon’s pro-Japan policies, has suddenly changed his words ahead of a possible snap election. His lack of consistency and unpredictability will only cause distrust,” Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP said.

Lawmakers also slammed the government’s slow response to the new U.S. administration.

“The martial law devastated South Korea’s reputation. The U.S. officials I met last month told me that 'Trump is a strong man, and he won't deal with an acting president,'” Rep. Hong Kee-won of the DPK, said. "We should create a parliamentary special committee to address Trump's tariff plan amid concerns over a global trade war."

His remarks align with the DPK leader's concerns over Trump's tariff policy.

“The U.S. is planning to impose a 25 percent tariff on steel imports. It is highly likely that Trump would impose tariffs on cars and semiconductor chips in the future. President Trump is someone who turns diplomacy and trade solely for the sake of America’s national interests. We, too, must protect our national interests by doing the best we can in these difficult times,” Rep. Lee Jae-myung of the DPK said during a Supreme Council meeting.

Unification Minister Kim Yung-ho, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, acting Interior Minister Ko Ki-dong and acting Justice Minister Kim Seok-woo also attended Wednesday’s session to answer the lawmakers’ questions.

During Wednesday’s interpellation session, the Assembly extended the mandate of a special parliamentary committee investigating insurrection allegations related to Yoon’s martial law declaration until Feb. 28.

Lawmakers will question government officials on the economy on Thursday, and society, education and culture on Friday.

Thursday’s session is expected to focus on the so-called "Great Whale" gas field development project, which has come under criticism for insufficient hydrocarbon levels to justify further exploration, supplementary budget and pension reform. Friday’s session is expected to focus on student safety following the fatal death of a 7-year-old student at an elementary school in Daejeon.