On the 11th (local time), the U.S. government reaffirmed its principles, such as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and efforts for a diplomatic solution to it, while avoiding specific comments regarding the controversy in South Korea over the U.S. relocation of tactical nuclear weapons.
However, the US government emphasized that President Joe Biden has confirmed his commitment to extended deterrence to South Korea, covering the full range of nuclear and conventional weapons and missiles.
White House National Security Council (NSC) Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said on the same day that in relation to the controversy over the U.S. relocation of tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea, "South Korea's position and wishes regarding the alliance will be left to the South Korean side."
When asked whether the South Korean government had asked the US to deploy tactical nuclear weapons, Coordinator Kirby responded, "Our goal is the complete and verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula."
It is interpreted as avoiding an answer in consideration of the sensitivity of the topic as it is a diplomatic matter.
"We still believe that the problem can be resolved through diplomacy," he said. said.
"Chairman Kim is only continuing his provocations and missile launches, trying to achieve his nuclear weapons ambitions," he said.
"That is why we are strengthening the alliances of South Korea and Japan and bilateral and trilateral cooperation. Haven't you seen that we have conducted a series of military exercises over the past 8-10 days since Chairman Kim's ballistic missile launch?"
State Department spokeswoman Ned Price said, "The South Korean issue should be addressed to the Republic of Korea, but it is emphasized that the priority is to ensure that security commitments to our allies, including South Korea, are ironclad."
"President Biden confirmed his commitment to extended deterrence to South Korea, covering the full range of nuclear and conventional weapons and missiles," he said.
"The steps we have taken following North Korea's dizzying provocations are probably already known," he said.
"We have experienced periods of provocation from North Korea, and we are one of them," Price said. It's our purpose to make it clear that we're going to pay the price for this until it's ready."
In the meantime, conservative politicians and some academics have argued that South Korea should re-deploy US tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea in order to secure deterrence against the North Korean nuclear threat.
A South Korean media reported on the same day that President Yoon Seok-yeol proposed to the ruling party about a month ago to create conditions for nuclear armament, including the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons, and continued discussions to create friendly public opinion.
However, the presidential office denied the report, saying, "We have not had any discussions with the ruling party regarding the relocation of tactical nuclear weapons."
(Photo = Chosun Central News, Yonhap News)