VOA慢速英语：美国在亚洲的盟友应该拥有核武器吗?
Should America’s Allies in Asia Have Nuclear Weapons?
Some Americans say the United States shouldconsider providing nuclear arms to Japan and SouthKorea, America’s closest military allies in Asia.
Such Americans could become more influential in U.S. politics if Donald Trump is elected president.
Trump has won the largest number of delegates in hisattempt to become the Republican Party’s presidentialcandidate.
During the campaign, he has suggested that Japanand South Korea should have the right to armthemselves with nuclear weapons. He has also saidthe U.S. should consider removing troops fromcountries that do not agree to pay more for the U.S.military bases on their territory.
This has led some people to question America’sdesire to guarantee security in East Asia. It has alsostrengthened the position of those who say America’sAsian allies should have their own nuclear weaponsto protect themselves.
The United States currently has about 28,500 troopsin South Korea and 54,000 in Japan. The Japanesegovernment reportedly pays about $1.6 billion to the United States everyyear for the military bases in Japan. South Korea pays over $866 million for the U.S. bases on its territory.
Some observers say the United States would be in violation of the NuclearNon-proliferation Treaty if it gave nuclear weapons to its allies. The treaty isdesigned to limit the spread of nuclear weapons.
Moon Keun-Sik works at the Korea Defense and Security Forum. He says, “If the U.S. allies defend themselves as Trump has said, the alliance will bebroken, and it will lead to a nuclear domino (effect) in Asia.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, conservatives in Japan and South Korea sought todevelop nuclear weapons in the two countries. They were worried abouttheir security because China had developed nuclear weapons. Their worrieshave increased because of North Korea’s nuclear activities. But the UnitedStates has been able to persuade its allies in Asia to stay under theprotection of the American “nuclear umbrella.”
However, Trump’s threat to remove U.S. troops from Asia could increasethe power of minority voices in Japan’s Parliament and South Korea’sNational Assembly. Those lawmakers say their countries should not dependon the United States for protection.
In January, North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test. Reaction camequickly from Won Yoo-chul, the South Korean National Assembly floorleader for the ruling party. He said, “in the face of the North’s fearsome,destructive nuclear weaponry, the time has come for us to have a peacefulnuclear program for self-defense.”
Hiroshi Nunokawais teaches at Hiroshima University in Japan. He said, “IfTrump’s statements become a reality, there will be politicians that will agreeand a lot will be enthusiastic, I believe.”
Takashi Hiraoka is a peace activist and a former mayor of Hiroshima -- thefirst city to be attacked by a nuclear weapon.
He said that if Trump “becomes president, he has to take responsibility for the fate of humankind. He cannot avoid the dangers associated with nuclearweapons.”
Arming South Korea and Japan with nuclear weapons would likely increasetensions in East Asia. It would also end any support from China and Russiafor international action as a way to pressure North Korea to end its nuclearprogram.
While Trump is just a candidate and not yet president, his words are havingan effect in Asia. Some people believe what he says could weaken the trustpeople have in America’s commitment to the area, even if Trump does notintend for that to be the result of his statements.
Daniel Pinkston teaches international relations at Troy University in Seoul. He says “these types of statements and behavior are already doingdamage. It is already undermining confidence of the U.S. in East Asia, and in Japan and South Korea in particular.”
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Words in This Story
domino effect – n. a situation in which one event causes a series of (sometimes similar) events to happen one after another
umbrella – n. (used figuratively) protection
conduct – n. to plan and do (something, such as an activity)
commitment – n. the attitude of someone who works very hard to do orsupport something; a promise to do or give something
undermine – v. to make (someone or something) weaker or less effective,often in a secret or gradual way
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