'Strategic choice': Top diplomat denies South Korea pursuing nuclear weapons

ISTANBUL

South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun has said that Seoul has no intention to pursue nuclear weapons, saying his country's commitment to non-proliferation is not a "legal constraint but a strategic choice."

In a statement published by the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network on Wednesday, Cho directly addressed speculation that Seoul's pursuit of nuclear fuel cycle modernization and nuclear-powered submarines allegedly signals an intention to pursue nuclear weapons or develop latent capabilities.

“There are voices that raise questions as to whether these efforts might signal an intention by the Republic of Korea to pursue nuclear weapons or to develop latent nuclear capabilities. Such questions remain marginal but warrant a clear and unequivocal response: Nothing could be further from the truth," said Cho, referring to the formal name of South Korea.

His clarification came after South Korea and the US last November signed a trade agreement that includes a $150 billion Korean investment in the US shipbuilding sector, as Washington has committed to supporting Seoul’s bid to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

“Nuclear weapons alone cannot guarantee a nation’s security, nor can they ensure the well-being of its people. North Korea itself stands as the clearest proof of this fact,” said Cho.

The divided Koreas have been at odds with each other since they signed the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953, which ended three years of fighting in the Korean War (1950-1953), and Pyongyang has vowed that its "nuclear status" is irreversible.

“Upholding the nuclear non-proliferation treaty is not simply a matter of principle but a logical strategic imperative” for South Korea, Cho added.