'Tactical Nuclear Redeployment' Government Draws the Line... Rising Voices Within the Democratic Party

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Although the government previously drew a line against the ruling party's occasional calls for the "redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons," voices advocating the necessity of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons and NATO-style nuclear sharing are growing within the ruling party following North Korea's launch of ballistic missiles south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) for the first time since the armistice on the 2nd.

Yoo Seung-min, a former lawmaker considered a frontrunner for the ruling party's next leadership, emphasized the need for tactical nuclear redeployment through his social network service (SNS) on the 2nd, stating, "We must secure a game changer." Yoo had also argued on SNS on the 5th of last month that "Negotiations on nuclear sharing and tactical nuclear redeployment with U.S. President Biden must begin."

Yoo stressed, "South Korea has long been held hostage by North Korea's nuclear missile threats" and added, "Conventional weapons alone cannot stop North Korea's nuclear weapons. We must secure a game changer by our own strength."

He also criticized Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who said during a meeting with Philip Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to Korea, the day before that "tactical nuclear redeployment is an irresponsible idea not worth considering," by saying, "It is Lee himself who is making an 'irresponsible idea not worth considering.'"

Tae Young-ho, member of the People Power Party./Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Ruling party lawmaker Tae Young-ho, the party's floor whip on the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also argued via SNS that "psychological and military deterrence capabilities against North Korea must be enhanced through NATO-style nuclear sharing," claiming that the existing extended deterrence is insufficient. NATO-style nuclear sharing is a concept similar to "tactical nuclear redeployment."

He said, "North Korea's ballistic missiles crossing south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) is the first since the Korean War," and added, "Through this provocation, North Korea is trying to show that it will not waver in its absolute goal of being recognized as a nuclear-armed state."

Tae raised his voice, saying, "South Korea needs an extraordinary decision," and emphasized, "In a situation where North Korea is showing its willingness to carry out low-yield nuclear attacks against South Korea, the existing extended deterrence is insufficient."

The government had previously clarified that the calls for tactical nuclear redeployment raised by some in the ruling party are not an official position and stated that it intends to resolve the issue by strengthening the effectiveness of extended deterrence between South Korea and the U.S. At the comprehensive audit of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee on the 24th of last month, Foreign Minister Park Jin said, "Strengthening the effectiveness of extended deterrence through close alliance and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is the most important way to maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula."

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