Main opposition says Korea's nuke armament 'populist'

South Korea's main opposition Minjoo Party of Korea said Monday the rising voice among hawkish lawmakers that Seoul should develop its own nukes is a mere "populist" move, adding it would conflict with United Nations' resolutions.

"Discussing South Korea's nuke armament thoughtlessly is a mere populist move against Pyongyang's nuclear tests," Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the opposition party, said.

Rep. Woo Sang-ho, the floor leader of the Minjoo Party of Korea (Yonhap)

Woo added the development of nuclear weapons by Seoul clearly violates international norms, adding UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also agreed that such a move could run into opposition.

There has been a growing voice among conservative lawmakers in South Korea that the country should defend itself with its own nukes, especially after Pyongyang conducted its fifth nuclear test earlier this month.

The opposition party whip, meanwhile, said South Korea should send humanitarian support to flood-stricken areas of North Korea, adding the government should separate the victims of the natural disaster from the authorities running the country. (Yonhap)