Amid North Korea's successive provocations, ruling party says "Self-nuclear armament theory gains strength and ROK-US alliance strengthens"

Jin Jeong-seok "Our Choice Is Clear, Must Secure Nuclear Deterrence"
Joo Ho-young "Abandon Complacency, Prepare Thoroughly for All Scenarios"

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Youngwon Kim] The People Power Party strongly criticized North Korea on the 20th for launching ballistic missiles into the East Sea.

Jung Jin-seok, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "The more North Korea's reckless military provocations continue, the stronger the argument for South Korea's own nuclear armament will become," adding, "Our choice regarding North Korea's nuclear weapons is clear. We must secure a firm nuclear deterrent."

North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the 18th and again fired a ballistic missile into the East Sea on this day. This is the third time this year.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Jung cited the background of former French President Charles de Gaulle's decision to acquire nuclear weapons, saying, "'The United States is not prepared to sacrifice New York for Paris,' so France believed it was necessary to possess its own nuclear weapons," bringing up the argument for nuclear armament.

Chairman Jung pointed out, "According to the latest analysis by the U.S. RAND Corporation and the Asan Institute, if one North Korean nuclear weapon were to fall on Seoul or Busan, it is estimated that 450,000 to 640,000 people would be casualties, and North Korea possesses between 67 and 116 such nuclear weapons," adding, "The peace show that the Moon Jae-in administration staged for five years based on the lie that Kim Jong-un had a firm intention to give up nuclear weapons has collapsed, revealing the lies and hypocrisy of the Moon administration."

He continued, "Kim Jong-un faces the same dilemma as Kim Jong-il: whether to hold nuclear weapons and starve the people to death or to lay down nuclear missiles and step down from the throne. However, even if it means starving 2 to 3 million North Korean residents to death, he will never give up nuclear weapons," and said, "No matter what threats Kim Jong-un makes, we will definitely protect the lives and safety of our people with a watertight readiness posture based on the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, also said, "(North Korea's provocations) have become almost routine, which has led to a decline in vigilance," emphasizing, "The defense authorities should abandon the complacent thought of 'Surely they won't fire toward South Korea' and prepare thoroughly to alleviate public anxiety."

Floor leader Joo added, "It is recorded in military strategy not to look at the opponent's intentions but only at their capabilities," and ordered, "If they have the capability to strike us, they will definitely strike. We must prepare countermeasures on that premise. Being careless is not the attitude of those who protect security. Please prepare thoroughly for all cases."

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