South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, in an interview with American media, stated that if North Korea were to attempt a nuclear attack on South Korea, South Korea is prepared to retaliate with its ally, the United States.
The interview with Yoon Suk-yeol was published by Newsweek on Friday, November 8th. When asked about South Korea developing nuclear weapons, he mentioned that South Korea would strictly adhere to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, due to the deepening trust between South Korea and the United States, their alliance has escalated to a nuclear partnership. If North Korea were to launch a nuclear attack on South Korea, the South Korea-U.S. alliance, based on nuclear power, would immediately utilize U.S. nuclear weapons to strike North Korea.
Under the guidance of North Korea’s top leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea test-fired the latest intercontinental ballistic missile, the “Hwasong-19,” on October 31st to showcase its military strength. North Korea’s repeated missile tests have drawn condemnation from South Korea and the United States.
Yoon Suk-yeol has taken a tougher stance on North Korea than his predecessor and is seeking to improve relations with the United States. With the Republican presidential candidate winning the election and set to return to the White House, the 70-year security alliance between the U.S. and South Korea has once again become a focal point.
Earlier, the U.S. and South Korea accused Pyongyang of sending troops to aid Russia, which could escalate tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. However, Russia has not yet confirmed or denied these reports.
In the interview, Yoon Suk-yeol stated that North Korea’s dispatch of troops to aid Ukraine blatantly violates international law and could escalate and prolong the Ukraine conflict, thereby further endangering global security.