Rep. Johnson: Tactical nukes on the Korean Peninsula a really bad idea

Congressman offers amendment to pull language from the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) considering deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-4) today offered an amendment to strike reckless language asking the Administration to consider the merits of deploying tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea, which was added to the NDAA during markup.

The Johnson amendment replaces that language with a Congressional finding that the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea would destabilize the region and would not serve U.S. national security interests.

“Tactical nuclear weapons would be extremely destabilizing to the region,” said Johnson. “Our military doesn't want it and our allies, including South Korea, don’t want it.”

The U.S. withdrew all its tactical nuclear weapons from South Korea in 1991. Johnson said a reversal of that policy would destabilize the region, undermine diplomatic efforts to secure a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, accelerate North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, and heighten tensions with China.

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