Ahn Cheol-soo calls for South Korean nuclear armament

South Korean lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party has called for a national nuclear armament project to counter North Korean nuclear threats. In a social media post, Ahn criticized President Lee Jae-myung’s recent proposal to discuss ending the war on the Korean Peninsula, arguing that any discussion of ending the conflict without prior denuclearization effectively amounts to recognizing North Korea’s nuclear status.

Ahn emphasized that deterrence is built on fear rather than goodwill, stating that the threat of immediate retaliation must be made clear to Kim Jong Un. He argued that current North Korean nuclear capabilities have reached an uncontrollable level and advocated for a “nuclear doctrine” to ensure national security. This stance directly opposes President Lee’s recent Liberation Day remarks, in which he proposed initiating discussions between parties to transition from an armistice to a permanent peace regime.