Overview
- U.S. defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth referred to North Korea as a 'nuclear power' in a written response to the Senate Armed Services Committee, raising concerns in South Korea.
- South Korea's foreign ministry rejected the characterization, emphasizing that North Korea cannot be recognized as a nuclear-armed state under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
- Hegseth described North Korea's nuclear arsenal and missile programs as significant threats to regional and global stability, advocating for enhanced missile defense systems.
- The Biden administration reaffirmed its stance of not recognizing North Korea as a nuclear power, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby reiterating the U.S.'s commitment to denuclearization efforts.
- The controversy comes as public opinion in South Korea increasingly supports the development of its own nuclear weapons, with 61% favoring such measures in response to North Korea's growing capabilities.