US ambassador opposes redeploying tactical nukes in South Korea

U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg speaks during a forum hosted by Kwanhun Club at Press Center in Jung District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Goldberg says calls to bring back tactical nuclear weapons are 'irresponsible'

By Nam Hyun-woo

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg rejected calls to redeploy U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula to counter North Korea's growing nuclear menace, stressing that no one should doubt the U.S.' commitment to protect its allies, including South Korea, from nuclear threats.

"I also believe we should be focused on not increasing the threat from nuclear weapons _ whether they are tactical or otherwise _ but address the need to rid the world of these weapons," Goldberg said during a forum held by Kwanhun Club, an organization of South Korean journalists.

"Extended deterrence means the protections provided by the U.S. in all areas, including nuclear. We have this iron-clad commitment. Nobody should have any doubt about that," he added.

Goldberg made the remarks when asked about his opinion about the redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula amid increasing nuclear threats from North Korea.

The redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons is one of the most talked about options among politicians and observers as a means to deter North Korea's nuclear threat. Some ruling People Power Party lawmakers have even mentioned that Seoul should consider building its own nuclear weapons to counter North Korea's nuclear threats.

But President Yoon Suk-yeol rejected those calls. He has reiterated South Korea's commitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, and called for enhancing extended deterrence, which refers to the U.S. providing protection, including nuclear capabilities, to its non-nuclear allies.

Goldberg said now is the time to reduce tensions as opposed to escalating them.

"So our work at the moment with our allies here is to respond to these provocations and threats by showing resolve, and nobody should doubt our commitment to extended deterrence," the U.S. envoy said. "All this talk about tactical nuclear weapons _ whether it comes from Putin or from Kim Jong-un _ is irresponsible and dangerous. And an escalation of those kinds of threats and speculations, I don't think helps the situation."

The doubt that Goldberg is referring to is a scenario raised by some politicians and experts who are advocating South Korea's own nuclear weapons development program. They doubt whether Washington will provide protection to Seoul if North Korea threatens to fire a nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile at the U.S.

Goldberg said that the South Korea-U.S. alliance is "a serious and longstanding treaty alliance," and that the allies should "redirect our attention and our conversation about how to end that threat, not to engage in hypothetical discussions about where we might go."

The USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier and other warships from the South Korean and U.S. navies train in formation during Carrier Strike Group Exercise 2022 in the Philippine Sea, June 4. Courtesy of Joint Chiefs of Staff

When asked whether Seoul has requested the regular deployment a U.S. aircraft carrier battle group or nuclear-powered submarines in waters near the Korean Peninsula to strengthen the extended deterrence, Goldberg said he is not aware of such a specific request, but he thinks the two countries "may add additional strategic kinds of exercises in the future."

He noted that the debate should not necessarily be about adding additional strategic exercises, but over "a steady, sustainable effort to make sure that our forces are working together, and able to respond to any threats."

Regarding Seoul's concerns over the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, which is feared to pose damage to South Korean carmakers selling electric vehicles in the U.S., Goldberg said, "We are committed to continuing discussions on ways to address them," confirming U.S. President Joe Biden's promise.

"I disagree with anyone who attempts to characterize our bilateral economic relationship as a zero-sum game in which if American companies are winning, Korean companies will lose. This completely neglects the fact that Korean and American businesses are working together, and collaborating across every sector of the economy," he said.

"Yes, we occasionally have trade disputes on both sides, but we are committed to resolving them and have the mechanisms in place to do so. Anyone who would point to such trade issues as signs of diminished U.S. commitment to the alliance on our broader global strategic partnership is mistaken."