Risk of Arms Race in Asia
- Seoul official warns recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state could lead to an arms race in Northeast Asia.
- The concern is that a 'nuclear domino' effect could spark regional militarization.
- The threat of an arms race in Asia looms large as tensions escalate.
– South Korea's top official on inter-Korean affairs has expressed concerns that recognizing North Korea as a nuclear state could trigger an arms race in Northeast Asia. He urged the United States to reaffirm its commitment to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting a notable absence of this goal in both major U.S. political party platforms. This shift from the Democrats' 2020 stance has raised alarms in South Korea. Kim, who oversees inter-Korean relations, anticipates that the incoming U.S. administration will reassess its North Korea policy. He emphasized the need for complete denuclearization to be prioritized in any policy review. The last significant negotiations between North Korea and the U.S. occurred during a brief thaw in relations from 2018 to 2019, culminating in a failed summit in Hanoi. The South Korean government remains steadfast in its position advocating for North Korea's denuclearization, warning that failure to address this issue could lead to a destabilizing nuclear domino effect in the region. Kim's comments follow South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's recent proposal for unification and dialogue with North Korea. Additionally, Kim highlighted the importance of information access for North Koreans, noting that a significant majority of defectors had consumed foreign media before their escape. Recent defections have sparked speculation that South Korean propaganda broadcasts, including K-pop and news, may have influenced these individuals' decisions to flee.