Bolton: "US Should Temporarily Redeploy Tactical Nuclear Weapons on the Korean Peninsula"

Rising Public Opinion in the US Supporting 'Nuclear Armament Permission'

John Bolton, former U.S. National Security Advisor classified as a 'hawk' during the Donald Trump administration, stated on the 25th that the United States should temporarily redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula.

In his keynote speech at the 'Asan Plenum 2023' hosted by the Asan Institute for Policy Studies at the Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, former Advisor Bolton said, "The ROK-U.S. alliance will clearly demonstrate to Kim Jong-un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party, and whoever succeeds him, that we will not hesitate to use tactical nuclear weapons."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

This statement draws particular attention as it comes amid discussions on formalizing extended deterrence measures such as 'nuclear retaliation' to build deterrence against North Korea's nuclear capabilities. He added, "This (redeployment) is necessary to establish credible deterrence," and "Through this, South Korea can gain time to seriously consider whether it wants to develop an independent nuclear capability."

John Hamre, Chairman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), also noted in a video message, "The real meaning of extended deterrence is that we will fight alongside South Korea and, if necessary, extend that to the use of nuclear weapons. However, the question remains whether this alone can earn the trust of the South Korean people and sustain cooperation with us."

He continued, "Addressing this should be the first step," and "If at some point South Korea feels the need to have its own nuclear deterrent, it is necessary to understand at least the burdens or special obligations that come with it."

As it has become known within U.S. circles and political spheres that South Korean citizens feel uneasy about the existing U.S. extended deterrence and desire their own nuclear arsenal, public opinion in the U.S. is also forming in favor of allowing South Korea to arm itself with nuclear weapons. Max Boot, a historian and senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) as well as a Washington Post (WP) columnist, wrote in a WP op-ed on the 24th (local time) titled "If South Korea goes nuclear, it is a decision for Seoul, not Washington," that "Possessing nuclear weapons is South Korea's decision, and we should refrain from exerting strong pressure and respect whatever decision the alliance makes."

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