South Korea debates tactical nukes amid US strategy review

Amid escalating tensions with North Korea, a spokesperson for South Korea's People Power Party has called for a reassessment of the potential deployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Cho Yong-sool stated that President Lee Jae Myung would oppose such plans, but argued that "all options should be kept on the table" given the national interest.

The U.S. Department of Defense is reportedly considering an expanded role for shorter-range tactical nuclear weapons. This potential shift in U.S. nuclear strategy has sparked debate in South Korea, with some, like Cho, seeing it as an opportunity to bolster the U.S. nuclear umbrella's efficacy. The idea of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons, which were previously stationed in Korea, is being discussed.

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Despite the threat posed by North Korea’s nuclear program, President Lee Jae Myung will stubbornly oppose US plans to provide tactical nuclear weapons to its allies.

Historically, the U.S. withdrew all tactical nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula in 1991. This decision was part of a broader global strategy initiated by President George H. Bush, aimed at encouraging the Soviet Union to reduce its own nuclear arsenal following the dissolution of the USSR. At that time, approximately 100 tactical nuclear warheads, including artillery shells, were stationed with U.S. Forces Korea.

While some, including former U.S. official Elbridge Colby, have expressed renewed interest in tactical nuclear weapons, the likelihood of their redeployment in Korea remains uncertain. The U.S. current military doctrine primarily focuses on aircraft delivery for such weapons, like the B61-12, which is deployed in Europe. The strategic advantages and disadvantages, coupled with the historical context of their removal, present significant hurdles to their return.

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If even the US is considering a new strategy for increasing the efficacy of its nuclear umbrella, we should be keeping all options on the table and reviewing them dispassionately from the perspective of the national interest.