South Korea: South Korean President Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol has stated that Seoul and Washington are exploring joint exercises involving US nuclear assets in order to confront North Korea’s expanding nuclear and missile programs.

Mr. Yoon noted that Washington’s existing “nuclear umbrella” and “extended deterrence” were no longer enough to reassure South Koreans in a statement.  The leader was referring to the US military’s capability to prevent attacks on its allies, notably its nuclear forces.

“What we call extended deterrence was also the US telling us not to worry because it will take care of everything, but now, it’s difficult to convince our people with just that. The US government also understands that to some degree,” The President remarked.

Seoul wants to participate in the operation of US nuclear forces, he added, in order to more effectively counter North Korea’s nuclear threats.

Mr. Kim also told a meeting of the ruling Workers Party last week South Korea has now become his country’s “undoubted enemy” and rolled out new military goals, hinting at another year of intensive weapons tests and tension.

North Korea fired a short-range ballistic missile off its east coat in a rare late-night New Year’s Day weapons test on 1st January 2023, following three ballistic missiles launched the previous day, capping a year marked by a record number of missile tests, as per the report.

A majority of South Koreans favour the development of a domestic nuclear weapons program, but Mr. Yoon cited that maintaining the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons remained important. North Korea’s race to advance its nuclear and missile programmes has reignited debate over South Korea’s own nuclear armaments.

CONFLICT: Kim Jong Un to increase nuclear warhead production ‘exponentially’ in 2023