DAVOS, Switzerland—South Korean President
Yoon Suk Yeol
dialed back recent remarks that Seoul could develop its own nuclear weapons, saying in an interview that his focus is on working closely with the U.S. on North Korean proliferation.
Noting that South Korea, a nonnuclear nation, is part of the decades-old Non-Proliferation Treaty aimed at curbing nuclear arms, Mr. Yoon said: “I can assure you that the Republic of Korea’s realistic and rational option is to fully respect the NPT regime…I’m fully confident about the U.S.’s extended deterrence.”
Mr. Yoon said earlier this month after a meeting with defense officials that South Korea might develop its own nuclear weapons if North Korea doesn’t halt its weapons program. That prospect has long been opposed by U.S. officials and would inflame already strained relations with North Korea, though polls show it is favored by a majority of South Koreans.
Mr. Yoon emphasized his country’s close focus with the U.S. and Japan on contingencies and planning for the U.S. nuclear umbrella as North Korea expands its arsenal, which includes the development of drones and short-range ballistic missiles widely seen as a direct threat to South Korea.
“We are preparing a stronger joint planning and joint execution in operating the U.S. nuclear assets on the Korean Peninsula,” he told The Wall Street Journal in Davos, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.
Mr. Yoon said he understood Japan’s renewed push to bolster its military for self-defense, describing those efforts as inevitable in its effort to strengthen its security given growing threats in the region.
He emphasized that Japan, whose 20th-century occupation of Korea remains a historical sore point, is working with the U.S. and South Korea to deter Pyongyang, saying: “I believe that trilateral cooperation is very important and, in this regard, I don’t see many problems about Japan strengthening their own capabilities.”
Mr. Yoon also said South Korea would continue to strengthen its ability to counter such asymmetric North Korean capabilities as cyberwar and intelligence. And he said he saw little chance currently that Pyongyang would abandon its weapons program.
South Korea is one close U.S. ally whose economy could face hits from recently passed laws…
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