Conventional Weapons Obsolete Against Nuclear Threat, Unification Emphasized

Analysis suggests that while South Korea possesses superior conventional weaponry compared to North Korea, this advantage could be nullified by North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons. On the 76th anniversary of the Korean War, experts discussed South Korea's current military situation and the challenges it must address moving forward.

Jeong Seong-jang, vice president of the Sejong Institute, assessed that although South Korea ranks among the top five globally in conventional military power, North Korea's overall military strength surpasses the South due to the critical importance of nuclear capabilities. North Korea is estimated to possess approximately 90-100 nuclear warheads and is expected to increase this to 200-300 by 2030. South Korea, lacking nuclear weapons, faces a widening military gap, with some arguing that conventional weapons are largely ineffective against nuclear arms.

The overwhelming military disparity between the two Koreas exacerbates security anxieties. Experts believe that South Korea faces significant difficulties in independently responding to a North Korean nuclear attack. They noted that if this situation persists, South Korea's own nuclear armament or, ultimately, inter-Korean unification could be the only solutions. They emphasized that nuclear weapons are a decisive factor in national security, just as North Korea has developed them over decades at the cost of its citizens' sacrifices.

Compared to the Korean War era, it is clear that despite South Korea's economic development, its military vulnerability, particularly in the nuclear domain, is a key factor threatening the nation's security. Despite an overwhelming economic advantage, it has been pointed out that South Korea's security is being jeopardized by a decisive military gap in the form of nuclear weapons. This military imbalance could have severe ripple effects on South Korea's security.

To overcome this situation, the opinion was presented that ultimately achieving inter-Korean unification is crucial. The search for fundamental solutions for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula is becoming increasingly important.