President Lee Jae-myung dismissed the “independent nuclear armament theory” proposed by some opposition members as an “impossible argument” on the 2nd. During a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, President Lee stated that issues such as uranium enrichment and the reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel are not progressing smoothly, mainly due to concerns about nuclear armament.
Regarding discussions on revising the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Energy Agreement, President Lee noted that these discussions have not progressed well in the U.S., with varying opinions emerging from different departments. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun pointed out that there are concerns from the U.S. about some political circles advocating for independent nuclear armament. In response, President Lee acknowledged this as a hindering factor.
He further questioned the feasibility of enduring economic and international sanctions that would follow without the consent of the U.S. or the international community if South Korea were to pursue nuclear armament. Minister Cho stated that it would be impossible, as it would require withdrawing from the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), effectively turning South Korea into a “second North Korea.” President Lee emphasized that while nuclear armament might seem desirable, the real question is its practical feasibility.
President Lee highlighted the importance of nuclear fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment, cautioning that such impractical claims could impede progress. He urged the Foreign Ministry to prevent irresponsible claims from emerging in political circles and to clearly communicate the reality that pursuing nuclear arsenal development would lead to sanctions, much like North Korea.
The government aims to advance the revision of the Korea-U.S. Nuclear Energy Agreement to expand South Korea’s rights to uranium enrichment and spent nuclear fuel reprocessing. The President’s comments seem to be a defense against the American concerns raised over independent nuclear armament arguments made earlier by some opposition members. In a previous meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, President Lee had also requested the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine and fuel supply, clarifying it was intended for conventional weapons, not nuclear arms.