Ahn Gyu-back reaffirms S.Korea’s commitment to denuclearization at ROK-U.S. security meeting
Defense minister rules out nuclear weapons development, stresses alliance-based deterrence framework
South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back on November 3 firmly rejected any notion of Seoul developing its own nuclear weapons, emphasizing that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula remains a steadfast national principle.
Speaking at a joint press conference following the 57th ROK-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Ahn stated that “there will never be nuclear weapons development in the Republic of Korea.”
Responding to a question on whether South Korea has any intention of pursuing a nuclear weapons program, Ahn reaffirmed that as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), South Korea “is a country that fundamentally cannot possess nuclear weapons.” He added that denuclearization remains “an unshakable commitment.”
When asked about the possible redeployment of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula, Ahn said South Korea’s defense policy should instead be viewed within the Combined Nuclear and Conventional Integration (CNI) framework, which integrates U.S. nuclear capabilities with South Korea’s conventional military assets.
Ahn praised U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who visited Seoul for the SCM, for his “bold reform efforts to create a stronger and more efficient military,” adding that “the enhanced deterrence posture will contribute greatly to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.”
He went on to say that at the first SCM since both governments took office, the two allies “reaffirmed the solid ROK-U.S. military alliance and combined defense posture,” and discussed ways to strengthen defense cooperation in response to evolving security challenges and to develop the alliance into a “future-oriented, mutually beneficial partnership.”
The SCM, the highest-level defense consultative body between Seoul and Washington, addressed a range of issues including the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) and South Korea’s defense spending increase.
While the defense chiefs typically release a joint communiqué immediately after the meeting, this year’s statement will be issued following the upcoming ROK-U.S. summit, alongside fact sheets covering security and trade cooperation.