PPP floor leader to seek ways to bolster nuclear deterrence against N.K. threats

SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) vowed on Tuesday to explore strategies to strengthen nuclear deterrence against North Korea, lambasting the government and the ruling party for their meek stance towards Pyongyang. In his policy address to the National Assembly, Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig detailed the PPP's top security priorities.

To counter North Korea's provocations, the PPP would pursue securing nuclear deterrence, potentially through nuclear sharing with the United States, relocating tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula, and training F-35 fighter jets to carry tactical nuclear weapons, he stated. Jeong criticized the liberal Democratic Party (DP) for adopting a submissive approach towards North Korea, pointing to the unification minister's claim that the North's nuclear capacity has surged 100,000-fold over the past three decades.

"What has the DP done while North Korea has fortified its nuclear capabilities to this extent?" he queried. Jeong also cautioned that Pyongyang might leverage its nuclear arsenal to negotiate direct talks with Washington while marginalizing Seoul. His remarks followed U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to reduce joint military drills with South Korea last month and express openness to engaging in dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

On constitutional reform, Jeong ruled out negotiations with the DP, accusing it of attempting to exploit a constitutional amendment to further its own agenda. He pledged to disband the early voting system and contemplate extending the voting period following ballot shortages witnessed during the June 3 local elections.