Defense minister nominee says he is open to idea of S. Korea’s nuclear armament

Defense minister nominee Kim Yong-hyun said Monday that South Korea's nuclear armament could be among the options considered to respond to North Korea's nuclear threats amid high public support for the idea of their country going nuclear. "That is included among all possible options," Kim said in a parliamentary confirmation hearing, in response to a question on the possibility of securing room for nuclear armament. Speaking to reporters last month, Kim said that he was open to all means to respond to North Korea's nuclear threats, while stressing that the alliance with the United States remains the basis in dealing with such threats. Kim, who served as the chief of the Presidential Security Service and oversaw the relocation of the presidential office to Yongsan, rejected criticism over the move by main opposition lawmakers, saying the basement bunkers for contingency situations are "much more stronger" at the current location. In regard to a controversial incident which critics called excessive protect ion of the president, Kim said measures were reasonably taken in accordance with relevant security guidelines. On the need to allow women to apply as rank-and-file soldiers amid concerns over the country's ultra-low birth rate, Kim said the idea should be reviewed as an option but that public consensus over the policy should come first. Kim, meanwhile, strongly rejected claims by the opposition bloc that the administration of Yoon Suk Yeol is seeking to draw up a martial law plan. "I believe that confirmation hearings are not held for political instigation of things that are not true," he said. Source: Yonhap News Agency