60% back S. Korea's nuclear armament

Lawmakers of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) hold a sit-in in the lobby of the National Assembly, calling for a stern response to North Korea’s provocations. The LKP is pushing for the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea. / Yonhap

By Choi Ha-young

Sixty percent of South Koreans support the country arming itself with nuclear weapons, according to a poll released Friday.

The survey, by Gallup Korea after North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, showed 60 percent of 1,004 respondents want South Korea to have nuclear weapons as a balancing tool against a nuclear North Korea. About 35 percent said they are against nuclear armament. The rate of supporters was 2 percent higher compared with the poll conducted in September last year after the North’s fifth nuclear test.

In February 2013, when nuclear armament discussions emerged for the first time here after the North’s third test, the portion of supporters was 64 percent.

Friday’s poll did not include specific questions about how the nation should be armed with nuclear weapons. Some supporters believe South Korea should develop its own nuclear weapons by withdrawing from an international Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), while others say the country should ask the United States to redeploy its tactical nuclear weapons here.

However, the 60 percent of support for Seoul having nuclear weapons doesn’t mean people are actually afraid of war, according to the pollster. Only 37 percent of respondents said North Korea is likely to wage war and the rate has consistently decreased since 2007.

The outcome is likely to encourage some conservatives to talk about nuclear armament, even if it’s based on a rough understanding of nuclear armament lacking differentiation between various options ― redeploying tactical nuclear weapons, withdrawal from the NPT and building its own nuclear facilities.

After Pyongyang’s most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, some far-right politicians of the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) have raised their voices in support of developing nuclear weapons against Pyongyang’s escalating threats, while most experts dismiss the call, citing predictable disastrous results such as international sanctions and the collapse of the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Conservatives raising voices

On Friday, Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae reiterated the ruling party’s opposition to nuclear armament. “South Korea’s reaction to develop a nuclear weapon to counter a nuclear weapon means we will approve Pyongyang’s nuclear possession,” Choo said.

“Some LKP members’ claims for tactical nuclear weapons redeployment or nuclear weapons development is never desirable or possible. Please cooperate with the administration’s efforts to tackle the harsh security circumstance.”

In the wake of North Korea’s intensifying missile and nuclear technology, the conservative LKP adopted tactical nuclear weapons redeployment as its official stance last month. LKP lawmaker Won Yoo-chul and some conservative-leaning pundits have demanded the government begin a nuclear program.

On Thursday, the LKP envisioned special envoys to the U.S. to deliver South Koreans’ increasing calls for American tactical nuclear weapons and nuclear-capable strategic assets. “In the view of a balancing act, we found it necessary to appeal to U.S. journalists and politicians to deliver our voice,” LKP chief policymaker Rep. Kim Gwang-lim said.

The special envoys are dedicated to figuring out whether the U.S. intends to deploy its tactical nuclear weapons to Seoul, LKP Chairman Hong Joon-pyo said on the same day. “Otherwise, we should find another way to protect the nation,” the opposition leader said, implying nuclear armament as a possible option.

The ruling DPK, however, dismissed the attempt Friday, in line with the official stance of Cheong Wa Dae. “We cannot understand that the LKP is planning a U.S. trip rather than participating in regular National Assembly sessions,” DPK spokesman Rep. Kang Hoon-sik said.

“Above all, the U.S. isn’t interested in installing tactical weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Washington view is that the nuclear umbrella for Seoul and Tokyo is enough.”