Undoubtedly, you’re wondering which newspaper ran an advertisement offering “nuclear bombs for sale.”  The media outlet at the center of this story is The Korea Herald. The second thing you’re probably wondering is whether The Korea Herald is a satirical newspaper, like The Onion. The answer is no. In fact, the English language newspaper, based in Seoul, has the third largest circulation total in the nation. That’s exactly why the advertiser decided to sell some weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Three types of nuclear missiles are available for sale in the ad.

South Korea Nuclear weapon advertisement for sale

The group behind the advertisement is called We The People Foundation. The group is an anti-Trump entity hoping to highlight the dangers his election would pose to South Koreans. In May 2016, Donald Trump stated that South Korea should pay all costs associated with the American military units in the country. Because there are nearly 30,000 American troops protecting the nation, the bill is substantial. Included in the advertisement is a fictional invoice from Supreme Commander Trump to South Korea’s Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn. The bill shows that $60 billion is already past due. Included in that cost is “classy, magnificent demilitarized zone maintenance.” Failure to pay will result in the seizure of all national assets.

As an alternative, the satirical advertisement suggests buying ‘magnificent, beautiful and spectacular’ nuclear weapons. With these, South Korea would be able to defend itself for a fraction of the cost. As the United States presidential campaign heats up, more satirical ads are showing up in the media. Some ads may not be as clearly marked. In this case, the nuclear bomb spoof reads “This ad is purely satire.” Despite the attempt at humor, nuclear weapons are a constant subject in South Korean newspapers. With recent missile tests in North Korea, many worry that the truce that halted the Korean War in 1953, may end soon.

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Steve Pame

Steve Pame
