In a powerful statement that could redefine the regional security landscape, South Korea’s nominee for spy chief has asserted that the United States would retaliate with nuclear force if North Korea launched a nuclear attack against South Korea.
During a nomination hearing on Thursday, Lee Jong-seok, who has been nominated to head South Korea’s National Intelligence Service, stated unequivocally that the U.S. would respond decisively with nuclear weapons should Pyongyang strike Seoul.
“Yes, that is my belief,” Lee responded when asked whether he thought Washington would risk retaliation from North Korea—even if that meant putting American cities at risk—to defend South Korea in the event of a nuclear attack. He emphasized that such a scenario would invoke the core principles of the longstanding U.S.-South Korea security alliance.
Lee’s remarks come amid growing concerns over North Korea’s expanding nuclear capabilities. Despite not having tested a missile armed with an actual nuclear warhead, North Korea has reportedly amassed sufficient fissile material to produce a significant number of atomic weapons. The secretive regime has also been intensifying weapons development and recently urged an increase in shell production to meet the demands of “modern warfare.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has continued to tour military factories, publicly calling for increased arms manufacturing, further heightening tensions in the region. While the North’s provocative rhetoric and missile tests are nothing new, the possibility of a nuclear attack remains one of the gravest concerns for South Korean and U.S. defense officials.
Lee’s nomination is significant not only for his strong stance but also because it signals the security direction of South Korea’s newly inaugurated President, Lee Jae Myung. The liberal leader assumed office on June 4 and has pledged to reinforce South Korea’s intelligence capabilities amid regional instability.
The U.S. has long committed to defending South Korea under a mutual defense treaty, and nuclear deterrence remains a cornerstone of that alliance. However, Lee’s public assertion that the U.S. would actually launch a nuclear strike in response marks one of the clearest endorsements of that strategy from a South Korean official.
While such a hypothetical exchange would have catastrophic consequences, experts say clear messaging is crucial in deterring North Korea from aggressive action. “The credibility of extended deterrence is essential to preventing miscalculations by the North,” one Seoul-based analyst noted.
Washington has not officially commented on Lee’s statement, but U.S. policy has consistently emphasized that any nuclear aggression by North Korea would be met with overwhelming response.
As Lee awaits confirmation, his remarks have already sparked international attention and debate. In a region where diplomatic tension runs high and military posturing is constant, clear signals from security leaders like Lee Jong-seok may serve both as a warning and a reassurance.
