Defense Minister Shin: No Threat to U.S.-South Korea Alliance Despite North Korean ICBMs

On the 22nd, Minister of National Defense Shin Won Sik stated, “Even if North Korea deploys Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) in the field, there is no possibility that the US-Korea alliance will be disrupted or weakened. On the contrary, it will be strengthened.”

During the government questioning session of the non-economic field in the National Assembly that afternoon, Shin said, “Kim Jong Un must understand that the stronger their nuclear capability, the more dangerous they become.”

Shin added, “Even in case North Korea’s ICBM threatens the US mainland with nuclear capabilities and if the US abandons its treaty obligations with its allies due to North Korea’s bluff, the US will have to give up its global leadership.”

Shin emphasized North Korea’s ICBM capabilities, “Since the reentry technology in the atmosphere has not yet been completed in terms of accuracy, we need to wait a bit more for field deployment. However, North Korea’s field deployment is a matter of time. We are well prepared as a US-Korea alliance for this inevitable future.”

Regarding North Korea’s recent characterization of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea as a “ghost ship” while asserting their own “maritime borderline,” a statement was made emphasizing the steadfast position of the South Korean military. “For the past 70 years, our military has upheld the NLL as the de facto maritime boundary. Should Kim Jong Un opt for a misguided decision, the consequences would be dire for him.”

Regarding the possibility of North Korea’s provocation after the general elections in April, Shin stated, “We are preparing for various possibilities in the military, including drone provocations, nuclear and missile-related provocations, launching military reconnaissance satellites, provocations of UN Security Council resolutions, and military provocations where it is unclear who the perpetrator is.”

Shin also expressed his intention to maintain the US-Korea Nuclear Consultation Group (NCG) achievements, etc., created by the current Biden administration and our government, even if former President Donald Trump is elected in the US presidential election.

He said, “We will manage well with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs so that the NCG and the US-Korea defense contribution negotiations do not become conflict factors that weaken the US-Korea alliance, regardless of which government comes in (in the US).”

In addition, in response to the statement that “if the international community considers freezing instead of denuclearization of North Korea, South Korea should also consider the option of independent nuclear armament,” Shin replied, “We are complying with our obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) while believing in the US-Korea extended deterrence.”

hgo@news1.kr