Key facts
- Public support for South Korea developing its own nuclear weapons has surpassed 70 percent.
- Some politicians advocate for nuclear-sharing agreements with the U.S.
- Experts argue nuclear weapons would bring limited benefits and greater instability.
The debate over South Korea acquiring nuclear weapons is intensifying, driven by North Korea's nuclear program, rising public threat perceptions, and a desire for greater international status. While public support for developing a domestic nuclear weapons program has surpassed 70 percent, experts caution that such a move could lead to significant costs and increased regional instability. Some conservative politicians are pushing for nuclear-sharing agreements with the United States, a policy that would allow the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons on South Korean soil for the first time since the Cold War. However, alternative approaches focus on strengthening existing U.S. extended deterrence mechanisms and bilateral security cooperation, including regular joint military exercises and trilateral cooperation with Japan. Proposals also include establishing a multilateral consultative group for extended deterrence in the region, mirroring NATO's Nuclear Planning Group.