North Korea’s recent revelation of a nuclear facility has been viewed as a measured tactic to garner the attention of the United States before its upcoming presidential election. South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, believes that North Korea is primed to stage major provocations, such as a nuclear test explosion and long-range missile launches.
These concerns escalated when North Korea gave the world a glimpse into their secretive uranium-enrichment facility whilst voicing their intention to build more nuclear weapons and continue its rebellious missile testing regime. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, even threatened to obliterate South Korea with his cache of nuclear weapons if there was any form of provocation.
Many international observers have theorized that North Korea is looking to use an expanded nuclear arsenal as a negotiating tool to press for external concessions, particularly in relaxation of sanctions once the United States delivers its new president. They insinuate that Kim Jong Un may believe that his chances of extracting his desired terms escalate if Republican candidate Donald Trump is voted into office – this is mainly due to their high-tension nuclear diplomacy sessions during the years 2018 and 2019. Trump often flaunted his personal connect with Kim, playing it up during his campaign trial whereas the rival Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, has taken a stance of strong disapproval against Kim Jong Un.
According to President Yoon, their northern neighbor revealed their nuclear facility to attract the United States’ attention and the international community’s attention in anticipation of the US presidential election. He believes that North Korea may plan additional provocations such as nuclear tests and ICBM launches in future.
North Korea has performed six underground nuclear tests since 2006 and numerous ICBM test-launches in recent years. These tests are reportedly aimed to further refine its nuclear and missile capabilities. The assessment from many observers is that North Korea does not yet have functioning nuclear missiles that can reach the US mainland, although they probably do possess ones that can target South Korea and Japan.
Since President Yoon was inaugurated in 2022, he has pursued a stronger military alliance with the United States at the center of his foreign policy to deal with North Korea’s intensified nuclear threats. This method of dealing with North Korea has infuriated them into calling Yoon “a traitor” while ignoring his calls for dialogue.
There are concerns that the robust South Korea-U.S. alliance may be threatened if Trump returns to the White House. In his previous tenure, he had asked South Korea to significantly increase its share of the cost of the U.S. military’s deployment on its soil. However, Yoon conveyed his confidence that the “ironclad” South Korea-U.S. alliance will continue to advance steadily regardless of the U.S. election’s outcome. He expressed his belief in the bipartisan support for the ROK-U.S. alliance in the United States.
Yoon also showed his confidence in advancing their bilateral ties under Japan’s new Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who took office recently. The President leaves Sunday for a three-nation trip that includes a stop in Laos for summits with Southeast Asian and other world leaders. At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-related meetings, Yoon asserts that North Korea’s nuclear disarmament is a prerequisite for regional peace.
