Wi Sung-lak Pressures China on Military Nuclear for Summit: "If Denuclearization Fails, Tensions Will Escalate, Harming China and Russia"
National Security Office Director Wi Sung-lak announced "pressure on China" in advance of the summit, stating, "If denuclearization fails, tensions will escalate, harming China and Russia," and used the promise of "securing military nuclear weapons" as a means of pressure.
On March 31st, ahead of President Lee Jae-myung's visit to China on March 4th, National Security Office Director Wi stated in an exclusive interview with the Hankyoreh, "I intend to discuss the peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, which we have been pursuing."
When asked about the denuclearization clause in the joint statement, he stated, "We will pursue such discussions. Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is a matter of shared interest for all neighboring countries. If denuclearization becomes completely impossible in this region, the ensuing situation will not benefit anyone. Tensions will escalate, and everyone will have to consider their next move for the sake of security. That will not benefit China or Russia either."
Regarding President Lee's visit to China, Reuters reported on the 2nd, "Experts say Lee and Xi Jinping's itinerary included persuading China to facilitate dialogue with North Korea." North Korea dismissed Lee's approach, labeling him (referring to President Lee) a "hypocrite" and "confrontational lunatic."
Reuters continued, "China and North Korea are seeking closer cooperation, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un standing shoulder to shoulder with Xi Jinping at a large-scale military parade in September." "This visit marks the second meeting between Xi and Lee in two months, an unusually short period of time that analysts say demonstrates China's strong interest in strengthening ties with Seoul and promoting economic cooperation and tourism," describing it as an "unusually early meeting."
Director Wi, unusually, gave the Hankyoreh exclusive access to a preliminary explanation of the South Korea-China summit. The Hankyoreh reported on the 2nd, "In an interview with the Hankyoreh on the 31st, four days before the Chinese state visit, he said, "If denuclearization becomes completely impossible on the Korean Peninsula, the situation thereafter will not benefit anyone. The same goes for China and Russia." This indicates that he intends to actively discuss the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula with China during President Lee's visit to China from the 4th to the 7th."
In response to a question about South Korea's construction of nuclear-powered submarines and concerns about its pursuit of uranium enrichment, Director Wi stated, "North Korea is pursuing nuclear-armed submarines and could even launch them."
He added, "We must explain that we must respond accordingly. The 'asymmetry' in nuclear and missile capabilities between the South and the North is not just a serious problem; it's a matter of life and death." He proposed "countering it with arms buildup and nuclear armament."
In response to a question about concerns about demanding a statement on Taiwan, Director Wi stated, "Our position on cross-strait relations has always been consistent and clearly defined. Peace and stability on both sides of the strait are important," emphasizing the application of "peace and stability." Regarding North Korea, he emphasized "pressure for denuclearization."
In response to a live televised question about President Lee's intentions for a "strong response to China's illegal fishing boats," Director Wi stated, "It's not so much hardline as principled. People call the president 'pro-China,' but that's not true.
The president always thinks pragmatically in the national interest, and this is one of the hallmarks of that. Isn't it against principle? It's not common sense to resist (the illegal fishing boat issue) with force." This was a psychological warfare strategy based on the "application of international law based on common sense" to "weaken domestic public opinion in favor of China and intensify international conflict."
On the 22nd of last month, Director Wi told reporters, "We agreed that a separate agreement (to secure military nuclear fuel) is necessary with the United States regarding nuclear submarine cooperation, and we have decided to pursue it."
He made a secondary visit to the Department of Energy and stated, "We will proceed simultaneously," a phrase not found in the US federal government. This meant that the "separate pursuit" and the "need for an agreement" were separate entities, leading to a failure to reach an agreement.
Director Wi met with White House National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the 17th, but did not disclose the details of the negotiations. The next day, he met with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, who oversees US civilian nuclear power, and then traveled to Canada, where he announced the "simultaneous" arrangement to Yonhap News.
On October 30th, at the ROK-US summit, President Lee told President Trump that his lobbying for nuclear submarines would "help patrols in China" and "reduce the burden on the US military." He also contradicted this by telling President Xi Jinping at the APEC closing press conference that "stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia also benefits China."
President Lee's remarks reinforce the US-led security system in Northeast Asia, suggesting that "South Korea's support for US military patrols against China contributes to stability on the Korean Peninsula, which in turn benefits China."
Alex Wong, Global Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) of Hanwha Group, announced the "South Korea-US parallel nuclear submarine construction strategy" to Korean reporters at the Philly Shipyard on the 22nd of last month.
Wong CSO invited Korean reporters to the Philippine Shipyard and discussed the "simultaneous construction of nuclear submarines by both Korea and the United States," stating, "The nuclear submarine agreement benefits both Korea and the United States. By possessing nuclear submarines, Korea can strengthen its military capabilities and enhance its deterrence against invasion."
From the US perspective, he stated that South Korea's acquisition of nuclear submarines "is a measure that strengthens the capabilities of allies and helps maintain peace and prosperity in Northeast Asia," thereby presenting "responding to China" as a shared interest, echoing President Lee's remarks at the summit.
See <Hanwha Mars acquires $150 billion US nuclear submarine, Wi Sung-rak, 'military nuclear', North Korea's 'naval arms race', December 26, 2025>
<Wi Sung-rak demands US to separate nuclear negotiations with North Korea and imitate Australia's military nuclear program, 'demands' fail, December 16, 2025>