Yoo Seong-min, the presidential nominee of the Bareun Party said Wednesday if elected he would upgrade the country's deterrence against North Korean threats by introducing more US missile defense systems and pushing for joint operation of US nuclear assets.
Laying out his security-related election pledges, the candidate of the splinter conservative party said that "currently, the United States single-handedly makes most decisions regarding its nuclear assets."Yoo Seong-min, a lawmaker and presidential candidate of the conservative Bareun Party, announces his security-related election pledges at party headquarters in Seoul on April 5, 2017. (Yonhap)
"I will demand a higher level of cooperation (between Seoul and Washington) than the one between the US and NATO through a summit and talks between defense and foreign ministers that will be held immediately after my inauguration and win the United States' concession," he said.
Yoo explained that a higher level of cooperation over US nuclear capabilities will include the US sharing or providing information on such capabilities and joint decisions on the possible use of such capabilities here.
He also proposed devising manuals for joint military exercises involving the possible use of the US nuclear arsenal.
The US currently does not physically maintain nuclear capabilities on the Korean Peninsula as it withdrew its tactical nuclear weapons from the country in the early 1990s.
However, Washington frequently reaffirms that its Asian ally is under its nuclear umbrella, meaning it will bring such weapons here if and when necessary.
Yoo said he will also deploy additional units of the controversial US air defense system, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system or THAAD, at the country's own expense.
The US Forces Korea is in the process of deploying one THAAD battery to Seongju, located some 300 kilometers south of Seoul.
The presidential contender said one or two more THAAD batteries would enable multi-layered defense and protection against North Korean missiles. He said he expected each additional THAAD unit to cost the country about 1 trillion won ($890 million).
Yoo said he will gradually increase the country's defense budget to 3.5 percent of its gross domestic product from the current 2.4 percent if elected. (Yonhap) 顶: 911踩: 6443
Conservative candidate vows more missile shields, joint management of US nuke assets
人参与 | 时间:2024-09-23 04:31:31
相关文章
- This shark lives for centuries. Scientists discover how it resists aging.
- How to download and save Instagram videos
- How to change your iPhone's app icons
- 下基层 进村组 促学习
- LG Display starts production of advanced OLED displays for gaming
- Rights watchdog advises addition of transgender data in national statistics
- The 14 best tweets of the week, including cake... lots of cake
- 严厉打击非法经营 维护正常市场秩序
- Best smart home deal: The Amazon Smart Thermostat is just $63.99
- 一个二十年“老猪倌”的自白:离不开的猪圈,放不下的热爱
评论专区