Seoul needs nuclear weapons of its own if it is to negotiate with North Korea on an equal footing, a leading South Korean opposition figure says.
A once marginal call for South Korea to add nuclear weapons to its arsenal has gained momentum and support in recent months as Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities have gone from theoretical threat to present danger.
"Only by deploying tactical (nuclear) weapons on South Korean territory can we negotiate with North Korea on an equal footing," said Hong Jun-pyo, who will travel to Washington next week to press his case to US lawmakers.
Hong leads the conservative Liberty Korea Party, which was formed from the rump of President Park Geun-hye's Saenuri Party after it collapsed amid infighting and finger pointing in the wake of her impeachment on corruption and other charges.
While Moon Jae-in, who beat Hong to replace Park as President in May, still has widespread support, Hong represents a growing swell of dissent from conservative South Koreans, who have long accused Moon and his liberal Democratic Party of being too soft on Pyongyang.
Moon has outright dismissed the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in his country, warning it could "lead to a nuclear arms race in northeast Asia."
However, US President Donald Trump -- who visits Seoul next month -- voiced support for the move during the campaign, and Republican Sen. John McCain said in September the US should consider deploying nukes to South Korea.
A once marginal call for South Korea to add nuclear weapons to its arsenal has gained momentum and support in recent months as Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities have gone from theoretical threat to present danger.
"Only by deploying tactical (nuclear) weapons on South Korean territory can we negotiate with North Korea on an equal footing," said Hong Jun-pyo, who will travel to Washington next week to press his case to US lawmakers.
Hong leads the conservative Liberty Korea Party, which was formed from the rump of President Park Geun-hye's Saenuri Party after it collapsed amid infighting and finger pointing in the wake of her impeachment on corruption and other charges.
While Moon Jae-in, who beat Hong to replace Park as President in May, still has widespread support, Hong represents a growing swell of dissent from conservative South Koreans, who have long accused Moon and his liberal Democratic Party of being too soft on Pyongyang.
Moon has outright dismissed the possibility of deploying nuclear weapons in his country, warning it could "lead to a nuclear arms race in northeast Asia."
However, US President Donald Trump -- who visits Seoul next month -- voiced support for the move during the campaign, and Republican Sen. John McCain said in September the US should consider deploying nukes to South Korea.
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