What nuclear deterrence measures did PPP floor leader Jeong Jeom-sig propose against North Korea?

Jeong said the PPP would seek nuclear sharing with the United States, redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula, and training to arm F-35 fighter jets with tactical nuclear weapons. He framed the plan as a response to North Korean provocations.

Why did Jeong Jeom-sig criticize the Democratic Party of Korea and warn about North Korea's strategy?

Jeong accused the DPK of being submissive toward North Korea and pointed to the unification minister’s comment that the North’s nuclear capabilities had grown 100,000-fold over 30 years. He also warned that Pyongyang could use its nuclear weapons to seek direct talks with Washington while sidelining Seoul.

What did Jeong Jeom-sig say about constitutional revision and early voting?

Jeong ruled out constitutional amendment talks with the DPK and said there would be no constitutional amendment under the current government. He also pledged to abolish early voting and consider extending the main voting period after ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections.

PPP floor leader to seek ways to bolster nuclear deterrence against NK threats

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Summary

The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party said Tuesday the party will seek ways to bolster nuclear deterrence against North Korea. Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig delivered the warning in a policy address to the National Assembly and criticized the government and ruling party’s approach toward Pyongyang. He also ruled out constitutional amendment talks with the Democratic Party of Korea and pledged to abolish early voting. He said the party would consider extending the main voting period after ballot shortages in the June 3 local elections.

Key Facts

Jeong said the PPP would consider nuclear sharing with the United States, redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula, and training to equip F-35 fighter jets with tactical nuclear weapons.
He accused the Democratic Party of Korea of taking a submissive approach toward North Korea and cited the unification minister’s remark that the North’s nuclear capabilities had grown 100,000-fold over 30 years.
Jeong said North Korea could try to use its nuclear weapons as leverage for direct talks with Washington while sidelining Seoul.
He said there would be no constitutional amendment under the current government and pledged to abolish the early voting system.
He said the party would consider extending the main voting period after ballot shortages were reported during the June 3 local elections.

By Yonhap

Published Sep 8, 2026 11:54 am KST

Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig, floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party, delivers his speech as a negotiating body representative at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) said Tuesday his party will seek ways to bolster nuclear deterrence against North Korea, criticizing the government and the ruling party for their submissive approach toward Pyongyang.

Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig made the remarks in his policy address to the National Assembly session, laying out the PPP's priorities on national security and other key issues.

"To counter North Korea's provocations, we will seek ways to secure nuclear deterrence, including through nuclear sharing with the United States, the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula and training to equip F-35 fighter jets with tactical nuclear weapons," he said.

Jeong accused the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) of taking a submissive approach toward North Korea, citing the unification minister's remarks that the North's nuclear capabilities have grown 100,000-fold over the past 30 years.

"What has the DPK done while North Korea strengthened its nuclear capabilities to such an extent?" he said.

Jeong also warned that Pyongyang could use its nuclear weapons as leverage to seek direct talks with Washington while sidelining Seoul.

Jeong's remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a reduction in joint military exercises with South Korea last month while expressing his willingness to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

On constitutional revision, Jeong ruled out talks with the DPK, accusing it of seeking to use a constitutional amendment to advance its own interests.

"There will be no constitutional amendment under the current government," he said.

Jeong pledged to abolish the early voting system and consider extending the main voting period following ballot shortages reported during the June 3 local elections.

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