Oh Se-hoon: "We Must Be Ready to Put Independent Nuclear Armament on the Table"
"Oh: No Nuclear Negotiations on the Korean Peninsula Without South Korea's Consent"
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon asserted that "along with possessing nuclear potential, we must be prepared to put the option of independent nuclear armament on the table as a selectable strategic option."
On the 24th, Mayor Oh wrote on Facebook, "We must clearly inform both the United States and North Korea that no nuclear negotiations can take place on the Korean Peninsula without South Korea's consent," mentioning nuclear potential and independent nuclear armament. Nuclear potential refers to establishing the technical and institutional foundations to rapidly develop nuclear capabilities if necessary.
This assertion stems from Mayor Oh's judgment that "a tectonic shift is occurring in the North Korean nuclear issue." He referred to U.S. President Donald Trump calling North Korea a 'Nuclear Power' and the omission of the phrase 'denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula' in the Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, India security consultative group) foreign ministers' meeting.
He continued, "The most worrisome scenario is the United States holding independent negotiations with North Korea excluding South Korea," adding, "If the U.S. pursues a nuclear arms reduction 'small deal' with North Korea at the level of ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) removal and nuclear freeze, South Korea will become a 'hostage' to North Korea's nuclear threat."
Mayor Oh emphasized, "There is a saying that an unsheathed sword is frightening, but we must make the other side aware that we are always ready to draw the sword."
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Earlier, at a New Year's press conference on the 22nd, Mayor Oh stated, "We cannot officially recognize North Korea as a nuclear-armed state," but also proposed, "I have advocated for 'possessing nuclear potential' for some time. I believe this is the most realistic alternative at this point."
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