Cho Tae-yul, South Korea’s Foreign Minister, stated that developing nuclear weapons to counter North Korea is not ruled out. This statement marks a change in tone, influenced by concerns about U.S. support under Donald Trump. Additionally, he mentioned the potential redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the region, emphasizing preparedness for various scenarios.
On February 2025, during a session at South Korea’s National Assembly, Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul indicated that the development of nuclear weapons to counter North Korea remains a possibility, reflecting a significant shift in his previous stance. This comes amid rising concerns regarding the United States’ commitment to South Korean defense under President Donald Trump. Cho further mentioned that the return of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the peninsula is also a consideration, emphasizing that Seoul’s approach is to remain prepared for a variety of contingencies in response to regional security dynamics.
The remarks made by Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul highlight a notable shift in South Korea’s defense strategy towards nuclear armament in response to North Korea’s provocations. His statements reflect growing unease regarding the reliability of U.S. defense commitments, particularly in light of changes in U.S. leadership, suggesting that South Korea may be willing to explore broader security options.
Original Source: www.nknews.org