Jung Se-hyun: "Yoon, 'Repay North Korea Two or Three Times' Is Not Something to Do Unconditionally"

"'Exponential Increase in Nuclear Warheads' Is an Exaggeration"
Reason for No 7th Nuclear Test Is China
"It Could Even Escalate to a Localized War Situation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former Minister of Unification Jeong Se-hyun pointed out that "if North Korea acts aggressively and we react impulsively, it could eventually lead to a localized conflict," cautioning against responding to North Korean provocations with double or triple retaliation. This is advice directed at President Yoon Suk-yeol, who has called for a 'firm retaliation' against North Korea's provocations.

On the 2nd, former Minister Jeong said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "If they provoke, it doesn't mean we should automatically respond with double or triple force," emphasizing this point.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Recently, President Yoon emphasized the principle of proportional response to North Korea's drone provocations, signaling a 'strong against strong' confrontation. Former Minister Jeong said, "We should not be intimidated by North Korea's threats or intimidation," but stressed the need for management rather than a strong-against-strong standoff.

He explained, "If North Korea acts aggressively and we react impulsively with the mindset of 'beat them to death' or 'crush them,' it could lead to a back-and-forth situation, eventually escalating to a localized conflict," adding, "I hope we manage the situation more flexibly."

Former Minister Jeong predicted that tensions would continue this year as well. He said, "We have about 20 large and small ROK-US joint exercises scheduled for the first half of this year, and about 18 planned for the second half," and added, "On the other hand, North Korea has Kim Il-sung's birthday in April, Military Foundation Day, other anniversaries in May, and as you know, July 23 marks the 70th anniversary of the Armistice Agreement."

He explained that China's influence likely played a role in North Korea postponing its expected seventh nuclear test last year. He said, "(If North Korea) conducts the seventh nuclear test, the US would be furious, and after the test, the US would likely take out its anger on China," adding, "Currently, due to the Taiwan issue, US pressure on China is intensifying day by day, and with the Indo-Pacific strategy, China is under strain. North Korea conducting the seventh nuclear test would disrupt China's external strategy, so China is restraining them."

Regarding Kim Jong-un's statement at the plenary meeting that "we will exponentially increase nuclear warheads," he said, "There is some exaggeration in that statement," adding, "If the seventh nuclear test succeeds and miniaturized, lightweight nuclear warheads are developed, then it could pose a real threat, but for now, it is still at the blueprint stage."

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