South Korea's First Lady goes nuclear

I noticed something about the statement made by Yoon after a South Korean analyst I follow, Kim Jong-tae, commented that Yoon using the powerful nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky in Busan as a prop, threatened North Korea with the end of its regime.

Yoon boards U.S. nuclear-capable submarine in show of force against N. Korea
YNA July 19

"The two countries will overwhelmingly and resolutely respond to North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats through the NCG and regular deployments of strategic assets, such as the SSBN," he said.

Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed during their summit in Washington in April to establish a Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to discuss nuclear and strategic planning between the allies, and strengthen the credibility of the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to defending South Korea with all of its military capabilities, including nuclear weapons.

The inaugural session was held in Seoul on Tuesday as the USS Kentucky was making its port call, and Yoon said the two sides discussed the joint planning and execution of nuclear operations involving a combination of U.S. nuclear assets and South Korean non-nuclear assets, while agreeing to enhance the visibility of U.S. strategic assets around the Korean Peninsula.

"By doing so, we will make North Korea not even dream of carrying out a nuclear provocation, and we warned clearly that should North Korea carry out a provocation, it will lead to the end of that regime," (emphasis added) he said.

https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20230719008100315#:~:text=%22The%20USS%20Kentucky's%20deployment%20shows,Command%20headquartered%20at%20the%20base.

The emphasized language is overbroad. I noticed it was not repeated elsewhere not even on the official ROK Office of the President web site (typically they need to omit, repair, or massage most of his statements). First Yoon says "nuclear provocation." Just what is that? Is that the same as a nuclear attack? Then later in the same sentence, "we warned clearly that should North Korea carry out a provocation..." This is even more vague. In the Hankyoreh report of this presidential PR show, they changed it to (nuclear) provocation, just to make "clearly" more clear. Perhaps this is the proper "clarification." Maybe not. Just what is a "nuclear provocation?" In the case of current circumstances in relations with North Korea, a test detonation of a nuclear weapon, underground, at its usual test site, could be considered a "nuclear provocation." After all it is banned by UN resolution. Also, preparation of a nuclear test site for underground nuclear detonation in North Korea indicating that a nuclear test may be imminent might be regarded as a "nuclear provocation."

Assuming that Col. Macgregor is correct and that assurances of the "extended strategic deterrence" are actually not a US national defense policy, perhaps one could disregard all the above. Yoon is simply having his ego stroked by being able to play the military strongman of South Korea, to bolster his total lack of national defense and statesmanship credentials.

Is it right to use the most valuable asset in the US nuclear arsenal to provide a set to boost Yoon's shredded public support? It's all for show. A performance for North Korea, and a performance for South Korean domestic politics. A stunt like this could actually provoke a nuclear test from North Korea, having the exact opposite of its purported intended effect. It was noted that North Korean missiles test fired in "show of force" in connection with USS Kentucky's port visit flew at ranges compatible with those required for a strike on Busan. More than one analyst has noted that North Korea was "not backing down." A Hankyoreh article on this same topic stated under the headline- "Uncompromising attitudes on all sides are raising the risk of unintended clashes."

Also upon the visit, the military personnel present of either armed forces ROK or US, were not appropriately attired for the visit of a head of state. This just is more circumstantial evidence of the amateur nature of this staged political event/photo op.

(Source- OhMyTV 7.23 youtube)

President Yoon Seok-yeol, inexperienced in national security matters, a person known as a hothead, unable to control his temper, with the most powerful weapons system in the US nuclear arsenal as his prop, threatening North Korea with the end of Kim Jong-un's regime. Retired Col. Macgregor said this week, he doesn't believe there is such a thing as extended deterrence.

(Source- OhMyTV 7.23 youtube) First Lady Kim Gon-hee, inside the USS Kentucky SSBN looking through the periscope. It's a long way from the Volcano night club to being able to pose as Audrey Hepburn on a nuclear warship. What happened to Kim's mother of mercy act? Why didn't Yoon bring mother in law Choe Eun-sun?

Who are the morons in the US who thought this was a good idea? Yoon's disapproval rating is 62 percent. The military strongman image didn't help.


Saint Kim Gon-hee*

(Source- 언론 알아야 바꾼다 youtube 11.15.22)


*First Lady's Audrey hepburn Pose
https://civilizationdiscontents.blogspot.com/2022/11/south-korean-first-ladys-audrey-hepburn.html