South Korean Expert's Sharp Comments: Going Crazy, Thinking Itself a Major Power?
South Korea's intention to build a nuclear-powered submarine has raised concerns among sensitive South Korean military experts, who have openly criticized the move.
According to a report by "Hanminjok Daily" on the 31st, South Korean military commentator and former Justice Party member Kim Jong-dae expressed a negative attitude toward the results of the South Korea-US summit. On that day, he posted on Facebook, warning that the idea of building a nuclear submarine is merely "a national vanity that has been blinded by the illusion of being a major power," and that "South Korea will only gain face, but lose money, time, and diplomatic autonomy."
Kim Jong-dae pointed out that true independence lies in ensuring "technical sovereignty and independent strategic judgment," which is unrelated to whether South Korea has a nuclear submarine or not.
He urgently called on South Korea not to be deceived by the idea of imitating powerful countries, warning that the nuclear submarine project would become an unmanageable "ability trap" in all aspects of finance, politics, and industry. "Each submarine costs over 2 trillion won, and we can only operate one, not to mention that it will take several years to build and revise the agreements."
He further warned that possessing a nuclear submarine would not enhance South Korea's strategic position, but could instead provoke China and North Korea, igniting the spark for an arms race in Northeast Asia. "North Korea has already publicly announced the start of nuclear submarine development, and China will certainly immediately strengthen its vigilance."
Regarding US President Trump's statement that nuclear submarines must be built in American shipyards, Kim Jong-dae's concerns are even greater. He mentioned that the nuclear fuel for the nuclear submarines would have to rely on the United States' highly enriched uranium, and that the construction technology and maintenance are likely to fall under the control system of the American shipbuilding industry.
"There is a risk that South Korea's autonomous defense industry may become part of the American industrial policy outsourcing system," he also emphasized. "Once we beg for fuel to obtain a nuclear submarine, the foundation of an independent defense policy will collapse on its own."
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1847511693713543/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author."