"We are ready to fight back" PHOTO

In an interview with Newsweek, Yoon said this is because South Korea can rely on US nuclear weapons and does not need its own, even though polls show most South Koreans would support developing their own nuclear weapons.

"I believe it would be irrational if they decide to launch a nuclear attack on the Republic of Korea and if they do, the ROK-US alliance will immediately attack North Korea with US nuclear weapons," he said.

Yoon recalled that he had previously said that if North Korea started denuclearization, it would provide a guarantee of security and improve people's lives in an extraordinary way.

"We will provide them with bold economic and industrial support," Yoon said.

South Korea's security depends on its international allies, Yoon said, adding that the key alliance is with the US, which still has nearly 30,000 troops in the country.

Yoon also said that he is confident in the support of the US regardless of who is in the White House and added that he is working to strengthen relations with Japan.

"In the 21st century, almost every country that suffered from imperialist rule now has better and good relations with the former imperialist country. I believe this should be applied to the relationship between Korea and Japan. Also, we now share a common security interest when it comes to nuclear and North Korea's missile threat," Yoon said.