South Korea: President Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea embarked on a six-day state visit to Washington, as the two allies aim to strengthen military cooperation in response to the growing nuclear threats posed by North Korea.
This year, Pyongyang has carried out a series of launches that have defied sanctions, setting new records. One of these launches, which took place earlier this month, involved the test-firing of North Korea’s first solid-fuel ballistic missile. This is considered a significant technological advancement for Mr. Kim Jong Un’s military.
Mr. Yoon’s actions have resulted in South Korea strengthening its relationship with its longstanding ally, Washington. During his visit, Yoon has a busy itinerary, which includes a summit with US President Mr. Joe Biden on 26th April 2023. The two leaders will commemorate the 70th anniversary of their countries’ diplomatic ties.
According to several surveys, a majority of South Koreans now support the idea of their country developing nuclear weapons. In this regard, Yoon has suggested that Seoul might explore this possibility. Mr. Park Won-gon, a North Korean Studies professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said that there is a heightened requirement for the US to demonstrate its commitment to deterrence at the alliance level.
The recent US intelligence leak, which suggested that Washington was spying on Seoul, has had a significant impact on the domestic approval ratings of the South Korean president. Mr. Yoon has witnessed a sharp decline in his popularity due to the public’s dissatisfaction with his handling of the situation.
