The National YWCA of Korea recently released a commentary on the current situation, expressing concern about the escalating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula due to the recent North-South arms race and the ruling party’s advocacy for the nullification of the joint declaration on denuclearization. 

The National YWCA of Korea emphasized that “North Korea’s legalization of nuclear force, tactical nuclear military training, and missile tests are not unrelated to the joint military exercises of South Korea, the United States, and Japan. It criticized the South Korean government’s stance of responding to nuclear weapons with nuclear weapons and advocating for the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons, which intensifies military tensions. The commentary criticized President Yoon’s administration for advocating the nullification of the April 27 inter-Korean military agreement and the September 19 Joint Declaration on the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, stating that such actions would exacerbate the precarious tension on the Korean Peninsula in a vicious cycle.

The National YWCA of Korea urged the government and the ruling party not to threaten with the fear of war but to adopt a strategy and actions for peace. It called for the cessation of military actions surrounding the Korean Peninsula by North, South, and the United States. The National YWCA of Korea emphasized that genuine security comes not from war exercises but from realizing the possibility of coexistence and reconciliation, urging a strong commitment to the path of peaceful diplomacy and dialogue.

<Commentary of YWCA Korea>

Cease the Dangerous Arms Race on the Korean Peninsula

Recently, North Korea has intensified military tensions on the Korean Peninsula by conducting nuclear force legalization, tactical nuclear military exercises, and missile launch tests. These military actions by North Korea are not unrelated to the previously conducted joint military exercises of South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, as well as the deployment of U.S. strategic assets. They represent an attempt to neutralize South Korea’s three-axis defense system and missile defense network. In response, the South Korean government has expressed its stance of responding to nuclear threats with nuclear capabilities and advocated for the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons, escalating tensions. Against the backdrop of the new worldwide Cold War system reinforced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the U.S.-China tensions surrounding the Korean Peninsula, inter-Korean confrontation and mutual threats have reached a critical level.

The Yoon Suk-yeol administration is sidelining the peace process outlined in the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, advocating the annulment of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement and the 1991 Joint Declaration of the Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. This not only fails to contribute to any improvement in North-South relations but exacerbates tensions, positioning the Korean Peninsula as an arena for Northeast Asian military competition. It is difficult to perceive the current government’s policy direction as prioritizing the Korean Peninsula peace process; instead, it appears to be reinforcing adversarial tension between North and South Korea. If South Korea and the U.S. continue to strengthen their policy of containment, North Korea is likely to persist in maintaining its nuclear capabilities. The historical experience of inter-Korean relations has shown that military build-up and competition are fundamental factors in the unstable and dangerous tension on the Korean Peninsula. Therefore, to achieve a stable settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula, it is crucial to first halt the vicious cycle of military competition.

We urge the government and the ruling party to pursue strategies and actions for peace rather than threats of war. Furthermore, we call for the reactivation of the Korean Peninsula peace process and the exploration of peaceful solutions for inter-Korean relations through historical reflection. We advocate for South Korea, North Korea, and the United States to cease military actions surrounding the Korean Peninsula and fulfill agreements. We strongly emphasize that true security is not achieved through military exercises but rather through mutual coexistence and reconciliation. We encourage a resolute commitment to the path of peaceful diplomacy and dialogue.

 October 14, 2022

The National YWCA of Korea