The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned that a recent South Korea-US agreement would pose “greater risks”. Kim Yo-jong said North Korea’s nuclear deterrent “must be perfect”, state media reported. The United States has agreed to deploy nuclear submarines in South Korea and involve Seoul in its nuclear program to counter the North Korean nuclear threat.
In return, South Korea agreed not to develop its own nuclear weapons. The deal, known as the Washington Declaration, was announced this week during President Joe Biden’s meeting with South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol in the US capital.
Referring to the agreement, Kim said: “The more determined the enemies are to hold nuclear war exercises and the more nuclear weapons are deployed near the Korean peninsula, the more will be the exercise of right to self-defence will turn into direct proportional to them.”
She warned that the move “will only put the peace and security of Northeast Asia and the world at greater risk.” Kim holds a leadership position in the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea and is said to have influence over her brother.
President Biden praised the deal, saying it would strengthen cooperation among allies to prevent a North Korean attack. President Yoon said the agreement marked the “unprecedented” commitment of the United States to deter attacks and protect allies using nuclear weapons.
China warned of “deliberately causing tension, provoking confrontation and playing the game of intimidation”. Under the deal, the United States will make its defense commitments clearer by sending a nuclear submarine to South Korea for the first time in 40 years, along with other assets, including a nuclear powered submarine. nuclear-capable bomber.
The two sides will also develop a nuclear advisory group to discuss planning issues. Politicians in Seoul have long urged Washington to involve them more in planning how and when to use nuclear weapons against North Korea.
Concern is growing on both sides about the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. Pyongyang is developing tactical nuclear weapons that can target South Korea and improving long-range weapons that can reach the US mainland. The United States already has treaty obligations to protect South Korea and has promised to use nuclear weapons if necessary.
But some in South Korea are beginning to question that commitment and urge the country to pursue its own nuclear program.
