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CBC
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Canada's allies are wondering if they can still shelter under the U.S. nuclear umbrella
Gone, it seems, are the days when the phrase "going nuclear" was meant figuratively. Since the beginning of the year and the inauguration of the second Trump administration, an increasing number of Washington's closest allies have begun to throw quiet — and sometimes not so quiet — fits about whether they can still count on the decades-old nuclear deterrent capability of the United States. Few places feel that uncertainty more keenly than South Korea. Faced with an erratic, often hostile, nuclear-armed neighbour in North Korea's Kim Jong-un, it probably shouldn't be surprising that recent polling has shown almost three-quarters in the democratic south are in favour of their country acquiring nuclear weapons. While the notion of Canada acquiring nuclear weapons to guard its sovereignty is extremely remote and nowhere on the public policy radar, some of the country's key allies are actively debating what might have seemed unthinkable a few years ago. People in Seoul watch a TV broadcasting a news report on North Korea firing multiple short-range missiles in January. (Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters) Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in early March that his country was looking at gaining access to nuclear arms — more than likely through negotiated security guarantees with France. South Korea, which is in the midst of a presidential election campaign, doesn't have the luxury of a nearby nuclear-armed alternative to the U.S. "As of right now, South Korea is fully reliant on an extended deterrence provided by the United States," said Ban Kil Joo, a former South Korean naval officer, at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy in Seoul. Change in North Korean posture Aside from Washington's mercurial approach to allies, the Korean republic has other reasons to be edgy. Russia and North Korea have signed a strategic partnership that Seoul is worried includes high-tech transfers that could be used in missile technology. And North Korean troops are gaining critical battlefield experience fighting alongside Russian soldiers against Ukraine. More significantly though, Ban said, Pyongyang quietly changed its nuclear posture recently, and that means its weapons are no longer purely defensive. The U.S. and South Korea co-operate to contain North Korea through a bilateral agreement known as the Nuclear Consultative Group, which meets twice a year at the level of senior officials, including defence, military and intelligence. Ban said his country would not simply and unilaterally begin pursuing nuclear weapons and he's personally doubtful it would be a wise policy, regardless. While "all options would still need to be on the table," Ban said, "I don't think nuclear is an option [to pursue] — or be selected as an eligible or relevant policy in the government." Ban Kil Joo, a former South Korean naval officer, does not think pursuing a nuclear weapons program is right for the country. (Murray Brewster/CBC) The enormous cost of maintaining a nuclear arsenal is one drawback, but Ban said his country doesn't want to go down that road and doesn't like the international message it sends in terms of nuclear non-proliferation. "It is not a good sign or not a rational behavior, if South Korea is just going to make nuclear weapons without any negotiation," he said. Having said that, South Korea has not yet signed or ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, according to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. That is likely a calculated strategy on the part of the government in Seoul. Ban said diplomacy needs to be front and centre. "If the United States is willing to provide an upgraded nuclear deterrence to deter any type of North Korea's nuclear threat, there is no reason for South Korea to be armed with nuclear weapons," he said. Even still, the notion of acquiring nuclear weapons does have political traction in Seoul. Former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office last month by the country's constitutional court after a failed attempt to declare martial law, openly endorsed the idea. Yoo Yong-won, a member of Yoon's conservative People Power Party (PPP), launched an initiative in the National Assembly known as the Mugunghwa Forum, which aims to boost support for laying the groundwork to quickly go nuclear should the need arise. In negotiations with Washington, much would depend on the demands the Trump administration places on South Korea. Like Canada, the first iteration of Donald Trump's presidency saw demands that Seoul shoulder more of the burden and cost of its defence. The government did raise defence spending, but not as much as Trump wanted, South Korea's deputy defence minister Hyunki Cho told CBC News in a recent interview. Talks have resumed. South Korean deputy defence minister Hyunki Cho said the country is currently in talks with the United States about defence spending. (Murray Brewster/CBC) "I'm limited in what I can say," Cho said. "We are currently in the process of going through these negotiations, but I think I can say that I am pretty confident that President Trump will fully consider what we have done thus far as well as the position the Korean Peninsula has in the Indo-Pacific region." At this point in the discussion, Cho said, the U.S. "has not explicitly asked" South Korea to increase defence spending. The country allocates roughly $50 billion annually — or 2.8 per cent of its gross domestic product — to defence. Researchers at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies recently noted that the Trump administration has remained silent about whether the U.S. nuclear deterrent is in question. Much of the uncertainty is driven by Trump's threats not to protect allies that don't meet his expectations and spending threshold. Oddly enough, this is where Canada enters into the conversation in South Korea, which has watched the U.S. annexation bluster and economic bullying with a mixture of dismay and alarm. The taunts to Canadian sovereignty are cause for concern, senior officials — at defence and the foreign ministries in Seoul — told CBC News during background briefings. The sense they get is if Canada can be thrown over the side, what does that mean for them and — what do they do about it?
Korea Herald
28-03-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Forum urges stronger India-Korea engagement in Indo-Pacific
The Korea-India Economic Partnership Forum on Thursday highlighted collaboration between India and Korea in the Indo-Pacific region as a win-win in strategic goals and regional stability. Panelists cited the Indo-Pacific region as a place of both competition and cooperation, proposing collaboration in defense, the digital realm, green industries and maritime projects like Sagar Mala. The discussions highlighted India's strategic autonomy in balancing ties with the US and Russia and the role of multilateral forums like the Quad — Australia, India, Japan and the US — and BRICS, which currently includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. "The liberal international order is eroding, with increasing dissatisfaction from both revisionist states and traditional powers like the US," said Cho Won-deuk, a professor of Indo-Pacific security at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, underlining the challenges and opportunities shaping the next decade in the region. He underscored India's growing role as a strategic and economic player, advocating for deeper Korea-India collaboration in advanced technologies, defense, digital innovation and green industries. Both nations are strengthening cooperation in AI, clean energy and semiconductors, with South Korea recognizing the Indo-Pacific region's importance in global gross domestic product and India viewing Korea as a key partner in its "Act East" strategy. "The Indo-Pacific is both a region of rivalry and cooperation," said Kim Kyung-hoon, head of India and South Asia at KIEP, highlighting the complexities of multilateral engagements in the region. "It's a hub for many forums, from the Quad to BRICS, and both India and Korea are central to shaping its future." South Korea aims to strengthen its strategic partnership with India through an upgraded Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and high-level exchanges, while also boosting ties with South Asian countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through trade and development. It is also engaged in regional initiatives like Indian Ocean Rim Association and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. But the region faces numerous challenges, including piracy, illegal fishing and climate change, according to experts. R.S. Vasan, former commander of the Indian Coast Guard's eastern region, said that South Korea's expertise in shipbuilding and port development presents a strong opportunity for deeper collaboration with India. Ji Yeon-jung from the Korea Naval Academy highlighted India's strategic autonomy and diplomatic role in balancing its relations with both Russia and the US, responding to a question on shifting dynamics in Russia-India relations. "India's balanced engagement in global conflicts, including its mediation efforts in Ukraine and Israel-Gaza, strengthens its role as a global player," Ji noted. "Our partnership is vital for mutual growth and prosperity," said Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar, citing India-South Korea strategic cooperation as substantial for regional and global issues in the Indo-Pacific. "We need to continue holding consultations with greater regularity," Kumar said, advocating negotiations in India and Korea's free trade deal signed in 2009, to elevate bilateral trade and services. "Korea and India are recalibrating their policies to navigate the growing uncertainty around the world," said Lee Si-wook, president of KIEP, echoing Kumar. "The complementary strengths of our nations, when strategically combined, can significantly contribute to regional stability and prosperity," said Lee. Lee emphasized India's key role in tech, calling it Korean firms' "second home," with Hyundai's largest plant and Samsung's top R&D hub. Responding to The Korea Herald's query on why Japanese investments in Asia surpass Korean investments, Invest India Vice President Naveenta Gautam cited Japan's commitment to investing 5 trillion yen ($33.2 billion) in India over five years. "I think that is primarily the reason why there is more investment from Japan," she said, noting that Korean companies take time to build trust before making substantial investments. Kim Kyung-hoon of KIEP also acknowledged Korea's late start compared to Japan, but expressed optimism about future investments in India. "But I think we will definitely catch up soon," he said. Song Kyung-jin from the Asia Society also hoped for more engagement in Indo-Korean ties in the Indo-Pacific region to address ongoing competition and economic fragmentation.
Korea Herald
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Democratic Party of Korea forms committee for pragmatic approach to foreign affairs
Opposition leader stresses trilateral cooperation of Seoul, Washington, Tokyo The Democratic Party of Korea on Friday launched a committee for peace and cooperation in Northeast Asia dedicated to shaping diplomacy and foreign policy based on the pragmatic approach of Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the party's chair. Helming the committee, Rep. Wi Sung-lac, who was Seoul's ambassador to Moscow, said that the international climate surrounding the Korean Peninsula is "more complex than ever." "A pragmatic, agile approach to foreign and security policies is needed now more than ever, to defend peace and South Korea's national interests," Wi said. Elaborating, Wi said South Korea needs to strengthen its alliance with the US and trilateral cooperation with the US and Japan, while at the same time adopting an "integrated and holistic" approach responding to its key neighbors, China and Russia. Lee, the main opposition party chair, said in a written address that South Korea was "in need of a swift and delicate strategy that can fill the vacuum in leadership, created by the illegal martial law declaration by Yoon Suk Yeol, and does not lead to an absence of power on the diplomatic stage." "The path facing us is clear. What we need is a strong South Korea-US alliance and pragmatic diplomacy based on the principles of security cooperation between the US, South Korea and Japan," Lee said. The committee gathers experts in foreign and security affairs from outside the party including Jun Bong-geun, professor emeritus at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy for training South Korea's diplomats; Cho Hyun, former permanent ambassador to the United Nations; Suh Hyung-won, former ambassador to Croatia; and Hong Hyun-ik, emeritus senior fellow at the Sejong Institute.
