"Nuclear Operations" and the "Human Rights" Card... North Korea's Dual Strategy to Tighten the Noose

Yoon Attends NATO Summit to Strengthen 'Security' Bonds
Focus on 'Human Rights' at Day of Defectors Ceremony
Moon Seongmuk: "Continuity Important, Considering Nuclear Potential"

The government is raising the level of pressure on North Korea by linking the South Korea-US alliance, which has been elevated to a 'nuclear power-based' alliance, with human rights issues. The aim is to lead international cooperation on North Korea sanctions based on universal values, going beyond simple military confrontation.

According to the government on the 15th, President Yoon Suk-yeol delivered warning messages to North Korea and Russia at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit held in Washington DC on the 10th-11th (local time). He attended the NATO summit for the first time as a Korean president in 2022 and has participated for three consecutive years.

President Yoon Suk-yeol, attending the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit, shakes hands with U.S. President Joe Biden during the South Korea-U.S. summit held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on the 11th (local time).
[Image source=Yonhap News]

A concrete achievement was the adoption of the 'ROK-US Combined Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations Guidelines' at the ROK-US summit held on the occasion of the NATO summit. The two countries agreed to expand the sharing of sensitive nuclear-related information and to establish procedures and systems that guarantee immediate consultations between leaders in the event of a North Korean nuclear crisis. Among all non-nuclear countries worldwide, South Korea is the first and only case to discuss 'nuclear operations' with the United States on a bilateral level. A Ministry of National Defense official explained, "While extended deterrence was previously decided and provided by the United States, now South Korea discusses joint planning and execution as a partner."

The security solidarity efforts were linked to human rights. President Yoon attended the 'Day of North Korean Defectors' commemorative ceremony held at the Blue House State Guest House as his first schedule after returning to Korea. When Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, defined inter-Korean relations as 'two hostile states' and pursued an anti-unification line since the end of last year, President Yoon instructed the establishment of the Day of North Korean Defectors in January this year. Emphasizing that North Korean defectors and North Korean residents are also our citizens under the constitution is itself a message that firmly denies North Korea's unreasonable claim to become a 'normal state.'

A government official said, "The government agrees with the view that security issues arising from the North Korean nuclear crisis and human rights issues are inseparable," adding, "The focus is on expanding solidarity based on universal values within the free democratic camp, beyond simple military pressure."

On the 14th, North Korean defectors attending the '1st North Korean Defectors Day Commemoration Ceremony' held at the Blue House State Guesthouse were moved to tears while listening to President Yoon Suk-yeol's commemorative speech.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

For a while, there were criticisms that security ministries competitively issued warning messages, causing North Korea policy to lean heavily toward a hardline stance, but roles are settling in line with the 'two-track' policy. The Ministry of Unification is focusing on seeking international solidarity through publishing the North Korean Human Rights Report and holding the 'International Dialogue on North Korean Human Rights,' instead of responding to each North Korean provocation. When Kim Yo-jong, Deputy Director of the Workers' Party, threatened South Korea with photos of burning leaflets the day before, the Ministry of National Defense directly responded, saying, "There is no scenario in which the North Korean regime can survive after using nuclear weapons."

The challenge lies in the continuity of policies such as discussions on nuclear operations. The upcoming US presidential election in November, with increasing chances of former President Donald Trump’s return to power, is a variable. There are growing calls for preparations against the withdrawal or reduction of US Forces Korea. Unlike in 2016, the Republican Party platform no longer mentions demands for North Korean nuclear disarmament, which raises concerns. In particular, there is a forecast that North Korea, overconfident in Russia’s protection, may carry out a '7th nuclear test' in the second half of the year without considering China’s stance, aiming to increase its presence during the US election period.

Moon Sung-mook, Director of the Unification Strategy Center at the Korea Institute for National Strategy, said, "The nuclear issue and human rights cannot be viewed separately, as the Kim Jong-un regime’s nuclear development violates the human rights of its people," and evaluated, "The government has set a good policy direction, but the important thing is whether it can maintain continuity." Regarding the US election, he said, "Even if Trump returns to power, the withdrawal of US Forces Korea will not be easy," and advised, "It is necessary to prepare considering various variables, while securing nuclear latent capabilities within the scope of not damaging the ROK-US alliance and maintaining trust with the United States."

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