High-Stakes Speculation: U.S. and North Korea's Nuclear Tensions
During a nomination hearing, South Korea's nominee for spy agency director, Lee Jong-seok, expressed confidence that the U.S. would respond with nuclear force if North Korea attacked South Korea. Lee's statement ties the security alliance with the U.S. to hypothetical nuclear threats from North Korea.
In a high-stakes nomination hearing, Lee Jong-seok, nominated to head South Korea's National Intelligence Service, voiced his belief that the United States would retaliate with nuclear weapons should North Korea launch a nuclear attack on South Korea.
Lee made this assertion in response to a query about Washington's potential military response, even if it meant risking an attack from North Korea, believed to possess intercontinental ballistic missiles. Lee emphasized, "Yes, that is my belief," asserting the scenario's link to the security alliance between South Korea and the U.S.
Under the leadership of newly appointed liberal President Lee Jae Myung, Lee Jong-seok's nomination comes amidst North Korea's continued development of its nuclear program, raising concerns over regional and global security dynamics.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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