Opposition calls for nuclear tit-for-tat

Opposition parties urged the Moon Jae-in government Tuesday to explore options to counter a nuclear North Korea, stressing the need to consider the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

On the second day of a four-day interpellation session at the National Assembly, the main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) and the minor opposition Bareun Party grilled key ministers on North Korea policies, claiming the government has been lackluster in devising countermeasures to the North’s nuclear program.

“Only when we have superiority in power and a stern determination that we can even go to war, can we achieve peace,” LKP lawmaker Lee Ju-young said. “At this critical timing in security, what we need is only one thing — becoming stronger with all possible state resources.”

Rep. Kim Young-yoo of the Bareun Party agreed, saying the government should weigh the option of redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons.

“When a country with nuclear weapons and the other with no nukes clash, there are only two scenarios for the non-nuclear country. Either collapsing after challenging the nuclear power or surrendering pathetically,” Kim said, quoting U.S. realist thinker Hans J. Morgenthau.

“The government should keep in mind that this sad picture can be our reality.”

Opposition lawmakers grilled Cabinet members, demanding they clarify the government’s position on a possible tactical nuclear redeployment plan. In response, the ministers said “the government was not considering this scenario.”

Defense Minister Song Young-moo earlier told a National Assembly session Sept. 4, the day after North Korea’s sixth nuclear test, that Seoul could consider the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons as one of the options to better deter evolving North Korean threats.

Amid growing controversy over the government’s obscure position on the matter, Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday it was sticking to the principle of a nuclear-free peninsula, dismissing the possibility.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon reiterated that the government is not considering bringing back U.S. tactical nuclear weapons into the country, adding that such a position is sync with the U.S.

“The trend now is that the U.S. is gradually decreasing its tactical nuclear weapons arsenal. Where they are deployed is not important anymore,” he said.

“If redeployed here, it will damage the principal of denuclearization on the peninsula, produce economic sanctions by the international com- munity, and fuel a nuclear domino effect in Northeast Asia.”

Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha stressed Song’s earlier statement was merely reflecting one of many opinions in the Cabinet, saying, “Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the government’s official position.”

Song also said, “I’m aware of the nuclear-free peninsula principal and U.S. deterrence policy on nuclear expansion. My mission is to help such goals be achieved.”

Political discourse shifted fast toward stronger armed deterrence following the North’s sixth nuclear test Sept. 3.

The LKP declared the redeployment of U.S. tactical weapons as the party’s official position and mounted a petition to seek public support. It has also pushed for a budget increase for the nuclear plan.

A group of its lawmakers plans to fly to the U.S. Wednesday to meet experts and congressmen and ask for their backing on Seoul’s nuclear option. Seventy four lawmakers will send a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump and urge the U.S. to consider redeploying its tactical nuclear weapons in Korea, Rep. Won Yoo-chul said Tuesday.

The conservative opposition Bareun Party is also in favor of the option and the third-largest People’ Party has been warming to the idea.

People’s Party floor leader Kim Dong-cheol claimed the country needs the nuclear sharing model of NATO, a system in which U.S. tactical nuclear warheads are deployed and managed at air bases in five NATO member countries — Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey, and members binding under a joint resolution for their use in an emergency.

Conservative opposition parties also upped their offensive against the government’s two-track North Korea policy of seeking dialogue and sanctions.

Rep. Lee claimed Moon’s peace initiative in a Berlin speech sabotaged coordination on North Korea policy between Seoul and Washington.

In their repeated calls for a shift in the policy seeking dialogue, ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmaker Min Byung-doo defended the approach, saying, “the Berlin initiative should be valid and the conciliatory approach should remain unchanged.”

Prime Minister Lee stressed that “I believe there’s no other way but holding talks with the North. But this is not the time for pursuing it.”

Minister Kang agreed, saying, “The principal remains intact. But now is the time to use more pressure and sanctions.”