South Korean politician slams ‘subordinate’ US ties over raid, urges nuclear armament

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South Korean politician slams ‘subordinate’ US ties over raid, urges nuclear armament

Former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo demanded a firm response to the ‘humiliating’ Georgia sweep


Further Reading

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‘Shock in Seoul’: how a raid on Hyundai hurt US-South Korea ties




The Korea Times
Published: 11:41am, 14 Sep 2025


Former Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo has described the recent arrests and detentions of South Korean workers in Georgia as an “intentional provocation” by the United States, calling for Seoul to consider its own nuclear weapons programme.


“The Georgia incident occurred right after the Korea-US summit. It cannot be dismissed as anything other than an intentional provocation,” Hong wrote on his social media account on Saturday.

“No matter how pro-China or pro-North Korea this administration may be, being treated this way by an ally is both humiliating and disgraceful.”


He urged the government to respond firmly yet wisely. “I am not calling for an emotional reaction, but the government should not act out of stubbornness and should handle this intelligently,” Hong said.

“Even so, continuing to hold summits with the US in the form of a coronation ceremony after a change in administration is questionable. Do other countries necessarily do this? Now that we are an advanced nation, why are we still perceived as a subordinate rather than an equal? Or is it just me who feels this way?”


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Hong also raised the idea of “independent nuclear armament”. He wrote, “Back in 2000, we shifted our China policy from a subordinate relationship to an equal partnership. Now is the time to do the same in our foreign relations overall. That is why, even if we must endure difficulties, I argue that South Korea should consider its own nuclear weapons programme like North Korea.”

On September 4, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations conducted a raid on the Hyundai Motor Group-LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia.

A total of 475 people were arrested, including more than 300 South Koreans. On Thursday, 316 South Korean workers were released and returned home on a Korean Air charter flight the following day.