‘Seoul temporarily drop out NPT,' says Chung Mong-joon

Chung Mong-joon, former chairman of the ruling Saenuri Party, claimed in his blog post on Sunday, “South Korea needs to consider temporarily withdrawing from the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty’ in line with the provisions in the treaty by citing national emergency.” He had also mentioned the need for Korea to revoke its declaration of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and to seek nuclear armament on Jan. 31. While Chung has been refraining from commenting on domestic politics, he is effectively raising voice over North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.

“I don’t mean that South Korea must withdraw from NPT, but must explain problems with the NPT regime that has failed to deter North Korea from developing nuclear weapons to the international community, and find ways to exercise our rights," Chung said. “We cannot afford to be complacent with the hopeless and irresponsible regime of NPT. We should not be blinded by our declaration or agreement in the past, but rather realize the gravity of the North Korean nuclear crisis and find a practical solution.”

송찬욱 기자song@donga.com