▲ This photo, released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), shows Michael Flynn, former U.S. national security adviser during President Donald Trump's first term, on Feb. 1, 2017. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(LEAD) ex-US official-Korea

(LEAD) Ex-Trump official says S. Korea's nuclear armament would lead to heightened tension

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SEOUL, July 9 (Yonhap) -- A former senior U.S. official on Thursday said he would oppose the idea of South Korea acquiring nuclear capabilities to defend against nuclear-armed North Korea, saying the move would lead to heightened tensions.

Michael Flynn, former U.S. national security adviser during President Donald Trump's first term, made the remarks in response to claims that South Korea should pursue its own nuclear armament to counter North Korea's threats.

"If I was (were) in your shoes, I am not so sure I would want a nuclear capability," Flynn said at a Seoul forum hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation.

"It develops more tension between nation states," he argued, adding that acquiring nuclear capability, unlike nuclear energy, could be "very hazardous."

Flynn instead pointed to a "long-term security umbrella" that the United States provides in the region as a viable option to guarantee safety from potential North Korean threats.

"What you really want is you want a long-term security umbrella, right?" he said, apparently referring to U.S. extended deterrence.

Meanwhile, Flynn said a transition of operational control on the battlefield is "the most delicate" move that requires a well-practiced, sequential set of decisions, when asked about his view about Seoul's push to accelerate the retaking of wartime operational control from Washington.

"I mean, operational control, a transition of operational control on the battlefield is probably the most delicate thing that you can do," he said.

"You don't just pull it out of your back pocket and go, 'oh, you have to have it, so it's set,'" he said.

Flynn said the transition process could draw attention from countries like China and Russia, noting that they could look for "signs of weakness" during the transition process.

South Korea has sought to expedite the retaking of wartime control from the U.S. in line with President Lee Jae Myung's plan to complete the transition within his five-year term ending in 2030.

On the possibility of a summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Flynn said Trump is expected to want to meet with Kim, given his personality that values personal relationships.

"Trump is going to, if he comes over here, he's going to want to go visit Kim," he said. "Because he's that way. It's personal relationships, and he wants to be able to see and talk," he added.

Trump has shown interest in reviving summitry with Kim, but North Korea has not responded to his offer for dialogue.

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