Park Jin on North Korea's Nuclear Force Use Warning: "New Government Needs to Maintain Stronger Deterrence"

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 27th, Park Jin, the nominee for Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated regarding Kim Jong-un, the General Secretary of the Workers' Party of North Korea, saying that nuclear force would be used if the fundamental national interests are infringed upon, that "the new government needs to maintain a stronger deterrent power."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the same day, Park, while heading to the confirmation hearing preparation office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, responded to reporters' question, "Do you think North Korea's claim is aimed at the new government?" by saying, "I will not speculate on North Korea's intentions," and added the above statement.

When asked, "What is essential for a stronger deterrent against North Korea?" Park replied, "First, we must maintain our defense capabilities," and added, "It is also necessary to maintain combined defense capabilities through South Korea-U.S. cooperation."

Park emphasized, "The security situation that the Republic of Korea is currently facing is quite severe," and said, "It is most important to make efforts to realize denuclearization under South Korea-U.S. cooperation."

Regarding North Korean external propaganda media criticizing him by saying he "worships the United States like a grandfather," Park smiled at the press and retorted, "What do you think?" then dismissed it by saying, "There is no change in my position to realize peace and safety on the Korean Peninsula through North Korea's denuclearization."

The propaganda media Uri Minjok Kkiri criticized in a commentary on the same day, saying, "Looking at Lee Jong-seop and Park Jin, who were selected as candidates for Minister of National Defense and Minister of Foreign Affairs, respectively, they are special pro-American sycophants to the extent that if this is the second time, it would be disappointing, as they worship the United States like grandfathers."

Meanwhile, regarding the meeting between the Korea-Japan policy consultation delegation from President-elect Yoon's side and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio the previous day, Park said, "I understand that they had an open and frank conversation in a good atmosphere."

He continued, "It seems they agreed that the deadlock in Korea-Japan relations should not continue as it is," and added, "I expect that solutions will come out to resolve various pending issues well in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.