Kwon Young-se: "Strengthening Extended Deterrence Is Ultimately for Dialogue with North Korea"

"Strengthening the Korea-US Alliance... Achievements in Expanding Our Diplomatic Space"
Opens Possibility of "Helping Kim Ki-hyun" Amid 'Return to Party' Speculation

Unification Minister Kwon Young-se stated that strengthening extended deterrence policies, as well as solidifying the ROK-US alliance and ROK-US-Japan security cooperation, is "ultimately for dialogue with North Korea when viewed comprehensively."

On the morning of the 19th, Minister Kwon said on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strongest Current Affairs' in response to the host's remark that "amid the strengthening of the ROK-US alliance, including the establishment of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), it seems North Korea will absolutely not engage in dialogue," that "the bold initiative is ultimately to provide help and cooperation if North Korea moves toward denuclearization."

Minister of Unification Kwon Young-se [Image source=Yonhap News]

Minister Kwon explained that the distinguishing feature of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's denuclearization roadmap, the Bold Initiative, is the willingness to engage in 'political and military dialogue.' He said, "North Korea stated it would develop nuclear weapons due to security concerns, so the initiative aims to alleviate those concerns. In any case, it is an issue that must be addressed through dialogue." He clearly pointed out that North Korea's refusal to come to the dialogue table and its opposition is not a new phenomenon under the current administration but has persisted since the so-called 'Hanoi No Deal' in 2019. Minister Kwon emphasized, "There are various reasons why North Korea has rejected dialogue and escalated tensions since 2019, but fundamentally, it feels no fear because it possesses nuclear weapons. Through the NCG group and the regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets to South Korea, strong extended deterrence will neutralize the nuclear weapons North Korea relies on."

Furthermore, Minister Kwon expressed the view that the strengthening of the ROK-US alliance, based on cooperation toward North Korea, can expand a kind of 'diplomatic space.' For example, since a solid trust relationship has been established with the United States, paradoxically, it may be possible to attempt groundbreaking dialogue with China or North Korea. He said, "Going forward, our discretionary room in talks with China has greatly increased," adding, "This can become our weapon."

Regarding the Ministry of Unification's achievements over the past year, he said, "I am truly sorry that tensions in inter-Korean relations have continued," but also evaluated, "In the past, North Korea policy fluctuated, but the significance of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's basic line was establishing a part based on 'principles.'" He added, "We should accept what is acceptable from past government achievements but also correct what needs to be fixed, with North Korean human rights being a representative example."

Additionally, when asked whether he would respond if the president gave a special order to return to the party, Minister Kwon replied, "I think the president will not do that," but added, "Whether at the ministerial or vice-ministerial level, those who originally started in the party need to return to prepare for next year's general election." He then revealed his stance as "basically a politician," saying, "I don't know when I will return to the party, but I intend to support the Kim Gi-hyeon leadership as a senior lawmaker to help it sail smoothly," leaving the possibility open.

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