“We Will Not Use Nuclear on North Korea”

Japan’s Yomiuri Shimbun, on November 21, quoted government sources in Washington as saying that the United States is not considering including the content of “The United States will not use nuclear weapons” in its proposals of security assurances for Pyongyang.

The decision seems to have been made because of the perceived possibility that North Korea may have biochemical weapons even if it gives up its nuclear ambition, and the goal of this is to control North Korea. The Yomiuri Shimbun also reported that the decision reflects Japan’s concern over its security. If Washington mentions that it will not use nuclear weapons, then the security of Japan will be unstable.

However, the decision is likely to cause North Korea’s repulsion.

The 1994 agreement between the U.S. and North Korea included, “The United States guarantees that it will not threaten North Korea with nuclear weapons or use them as well.”

Hun-Joo Cho hanscho@donga.com