Korean politician urges nuclear armament after US arrests of workers in Georgia

Former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has described the recent arrests and detentions of Korean workers in Georgia as an “intentional provocation” by the United States, calling for South Korea to consider its own nuclear weapons program.

On Sept. 13, Hong wrote on his social media account, “The Georgia incident occurred right after the Korea-U.S. summit. It cannot be dismissed as anything other than an intentional provocation. No matter how pro-China or pro-North Korea this administration may be, being treated this way by an ally is both humiliating and disgraceful.”

He urged the government to respond firmly yet wisely. “I am not calling for an emotional reaction, but the government should not act out of stubbornness and should handle this intelligently,” Hong said. “Even so, continuing to hold summits with the U.S. in the form of a coronation ceremony after a change in administration is questionable. Do other countries necessarily do this? Now that we are an advanced nation, why are we still perceived as a subordinate rather than an equal? Or is it just me who feels this way?”

Hong also raised the idea of “independent nuclear armament.” He wrote, “Back in 2000, we shifted our China policy from a subordinate relationship to an equal partnership. Now is the time to do the same in our foreign relations overall. That is why, even if we must endure difficulties, I argue that South Korea should consider its own nuclear weapons program like North Korea.”

On Sept. 4 (local time), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a raid on the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia. A total of 475 people were arrested, including more than 300 Koreans. On Sept. 11, 316 Korean workers were released and returned to Korea on a Korean Air charter flight the following day.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.