Seoul Spy Agency Pick: US Will Strike Back if North Korea Attacks South Korea

US Would Retaliate if North Korea Launches Nuclear Strike, Says South Korea’s Spy Chief Nominee.

South Korea’s nominee for intelligence chief, Lee Jong-seok, said Thursday he believes the United States would launch a nuclear counterstrike if North Korea attacked South Korea with nuclear weapons.

Speaking at his confirmation hearing, Lee was asked whether the U.S. would respond to such an attack even if it meant putting its own citizens at risk, given North Korea’s reported intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capabilities.

“Yes, that is my belief,” Lee replied, adding that any North Korean nuclear aggression would trigger a direct response under the U.S.–South Korea security alliance. While North Korea has yet to demonstrate a nuclear-armed missile test, the country is widely believed to have amassed significant fissile material for nuclear weapons.

Lee has been nominated to head the National Intelligence Service (NIS) under President Lee Jae Myung, who took office earlier this month on June 4. His nomination comes at a time of ongoing concern over Pyongyang’s growing weapons program and regional instability.