사용 가능한 전술핵이란 착각 [한겨레 프리즘]

The recent commentary by Jang Mok-seop, a spokesperson for the National Power of the People, questioned whether President Yoon Suk-yeol would continue to oppose the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons in light of the United States' expanding tactical nuclear arsenal. The spokesperson argued that a new strategic approach should be considered to evaluate all options from a national interest perspective.

The spokesperson emphasized that tactical nuclear weapons cannot be stationed domestically in South Korea as per the US's global strategy. This situation has occurred in the past, such as during the Soviet Union's 1991 nuclear arms reduction crisis, when the US pressured the Soviet Union to dismantle and dispose of its nuclear weapons dispersed across 15 republics.

In response, the US pressured the Soviet Union to take similar actions. During the 1950s, tactical nuclear weapons stationed at US bases in South Korea were withdrawn. Recently, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby mentioned a growing interest in small tactical nuclear weapons, suggesting that the US needs rational nuclear options.

However, considering the US's nuclear operation methods and strategic advantages, the likelihood of stationing tactical nuclear weapons domestically is extremely slim. During the 1991 crisis, only a few tactical nuclear weapons were deployed on US fighter jets, as well as some tactical nuclear bombs for ground forces. Currently, the US places tactical nuclear bombs on fighter jets such as the B-2 strategic bomber and F-35.

The bombs include different ranges of destructive power, such as 0.3t, 1.5t, 10t, and 50t of TNT. This means that the damage potential is comparable to 1,000 tons of TNT. If the US were to station tactical nuclear weapons at South Korean military bases, it would become a primary target for North Korea, provoking China and Russia.

Stationing tactical nuclear weapons in Guam or on the mainland would allow the US to respond more flexibly to situations in the region. During the discussion about tactical nuclear weapons, it is important to remember that strategic nuclear weapons are "non-useable weapons" for deterrence, while tactical nuclear weapons are "usable weapons" for combat.

The classification of weapons into tactical or strategic is largely based on the historical context of the Cold War, when the US and Soviet Union had vast territories and distant cities. Applying this classification to Korea is problematic due to its smaller territory and high population density in major cities. For instance, if a 20t tactical nuclear bomb were to detonate in Seoul, it could kill up to 113,000 people and cause up to 275,000 total casualties, according to a simulation conducted by DTRA, a branch of the US Department of Defense.