South Korean authorities have said they will have to consider bringing nuclear weapons into the country if tensions continue to escalate in the region. Unification Minister Kwon Yong Se said this in an interview with Yonhap.

The Minister stressed that Seoul is not yet considering such plans. But if inter-Korean relations continue to deteriorate and tensions escalate, the government will have to listen to public opinion on this matter.

According to him, there are three options for the emergence of nuclear weapons – their own nuclear weapons, their joint use, as well as the deployment of American tactical nuclear weapons. However, such a development of events is undesirable, it will undermine the stability of East Asia, the minister is sure. Seoul will seek a diplomatic settlement.

Kwon Yong Se suggested that the DPRK has probably completed preparations for the next nuclear test.