Seoul, July 19: South Korea’s Defense Minister Lee Sang-Hee says Seoul will not re-deploy nuclear weapons on its soil despite Pyongyang’s nuke program.
“Since joining the Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1975, the government has constantly pushed for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and will continue to do so,” Lee told state-run television KTV.
He noted that Seoul’s alliance with Washington will prevent any potential nuclear attack from Pyongyang under the “umbrella” arrangement.
The deal puts South Korea under the US nuclear umbrella against Pyongyang’s possible nuke threats.
Lee says the agreement aims “To force North Korea to give up its nuclear development and not to dream such a futile dream”.
He also said his country is able to disable North Korea’s long-range artillery stationed along the border.
Tensions have heightened on the Korean peninsula following Pyongyang’s second nuclear test in May.
—–Agencies