Kim Tae-hyo: "Bold Vision, National Consensus Needed to Deter North Korea's Nuclear Development"

First Deputy Director of National Security, Keynote Speech at Ministry of Unification's 'Bold Initiative Seminar'
3D 'Comprehensive Approach' of Deterrence, Restraint, and Dialogue

Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Kim Tae-hyo, the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office, stated regarding the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's denuclearization roadmap, the "Bold Initiative," that "national consensus must be unified to deter North Korea's nuclear development." He emphasized the policy of continuing deterrence and dissuasion until a "meaningful dialogue" with North Korea is achieved.

On the 21st, during the keynote speech at the "Public Seminar for the Implementation of the Bold Initiative" hosted by the Ministry of Unification at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim said, "We must spread a consensus so that not only the younger generation but also the majority of the public can support and trust the North Korea policy and unification vision."

The government is currently pursuing a comprehensive approach centered on a strong South Korea-U.S. alliance to deter North Korea's nuclear threat (Deterrence), dissuade nuclear development through sanctions and pressure (Dissuasion), and lead denuclearization through diplomacy and dialogue (Diplomacy). The plan is to create an environment where North Korea can voluntarily return to denuclearization negotiations.

Regarding this, Kim emphasized, "Among the three elements, deterrence and dissuasion have been operating from the start. It would be ideal if all three proceed simultaneously, but if that is difficult, deterrence and dissuasion must continue until the final dialogue is realized."

Specifically, he also suggested accelerating the establishment of a Korean-style triad system.

He stated, "We must prepare preemptive posture measures in case of nuclear or missile signs and strengthen the kill chain capable of detecting and intercepting missiles if launched," adding, "If North Korea dares to provoke with nuclear weapons, we must be able to implement the South Korea-U.S. agreement that a massive retaliation would lead to the end of the North Korean regime."

He continued, "I believe the possibility that North Korea will readily agree to start denuclearization talks is low," and analyzed, "There is also a strong possibility that North Korea will assume nuclear possession as a fait accompli and demand economic cooperation while proposing to dismantle only part of its nuclear program to improve relations with the U.S."

He further emphasized, "The reason I said that if denuclearization talks can only begin initially, inter-Korean cooperation can start is because I believe that a public consensus can be achieved when basic trust-building measures progress together," and reiterated, "Dissuasion diplomacy that prevents North Korea's political and military objectives from arising must be resumed."

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