Goldberg, US Ambassador: "Talking about Tactical Nukes is Dangerous, Does Not Help Ease Tensions"

Gwanhun Debate, Negative Opinions on Tactical Nuclear Redeployment in the Korean Peninsula
Irresponsible if North Korea Conducts 7th Nuclear Test

[Asia Economy Reporter Inho Yoo] Philip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to Korea, stated on the 18th regarding the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, “Whether the talk about tactical nukes started from Putin or Kim Jong-un, it is irresponsible and dangerous. It does not help reduce tensions.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At a Kwanhun Club invitation discussion held at the Seoul Press Center that day, Ambassador Goldberg responded to a question about the possibility of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons that were previously stationed with U.S. Forces Korea by saying, “Extended deterrence means protecting with all sectors, including the nuclear forces the U.S. possesses. Our commitment to this should not be doubted by anyone.”

He referred to President Yoon Suk-yeol’s declaration of South Korea’s commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Ambassador Goldberg emphasized, “Whether tactical nukes or not, the focus should be more on the need to eliminate nuclear weapons that increase threats, rather than those that reduce such tensions.” This implied a negative stance on the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons.

He added, “The dialogue should focus on how to end the threat from North Korea, not on a hypothetical situation where North Korea is considered normal despite possessing nuclear weapons.” This was interpreted as a reiteration of the U.S.’s existing position on denuclearization through diplomacy.

Regarding whether South Korea requested the permanent rotational deployment of U.S. strategic assets such as aircraft carrier strike groups or nuclear-powered submarines in waters near the Korean Peninsula, Ambassador Goldberg said, “I am not aware of that.”

He mentioned recent U.S.-South Korea and U.S.-South Korea-Japan joint exercises, stating, “It is not a matter of adding a few more strategic exercises, but rather showing continuous and sustainable efforts.”

On the possibility of North Korea’s seventh nuclear test, he said, “The exact date cannot be predicted, but judging by all signs, it seems North Korea or Kim Jong-un is heading in that direction,” adding, “If such an action is taken, it would be evidence of irresponsibility.”

He continued, “We proposed unconditional talks to North Korea, but there was no response,” and said, “We also need to consider the realistic necessity for allies to respond to provocations.”

When asked about the possibility of U.S. Forces Korea being unilaterally withdrawn in the event of a U.S.-China military conflict related to Taiwan, he said, “This issue should be resolved peacefully,” and “The will of U.S. Forces Korea and the United States is focused on the Korean Peninsula.”

When asked if the Biden administration intends to mediate for cooperation between South Korea and Japan, Ambassador Goldberg said, “The U.S. is well aware that there are historical issues between South Korea and Japan and that these need to be resolved, and hopes that they can be.”

He added, “While understanding historical concerns, we also understand the urgent need for cooperation,” and said, “It is important for the three countries to work together on urgent matters such as security.”

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