South Korea’s on-again, off-again relationship with nuclear weapons



Analysis South Korea’s on-again, off-again relationship with nuclear weapons North Korean threats and anxiety about US extended deterrence have led ROK to flirt with developing nukes since 1970s James Fretwell February 1, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON The White House (May 21, 2022), Joint Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps - NKNEWS (Sept. 19, 2018) and Rodong Sinmun (Nov. 20, 2022), edited by NK News “We could acquire our own nuclear weapons.” President Yoon Suk-yeol’s comments earlier this year marked his most explicit to date about the possibility of South Korea going nuclear. His remarks alarmed many experts, yet they reflect concerns of many in the South about the ever-growing threat from North Korea, and whether the U.S. will really come to its defense when push comes to shove. “We could acquire our own nuclear weapons.” President Yoon Suk-yeol’s comments earlier this year marked his most explicit to date about the possibility of South Korea going nuclear. His remarks alarmed many experts, yet they reflect concerns of many in the South about the ever-growing threat from North Korea, and whether the U.S. will really come to its defense when push comes to shove. Become a member for less than $5.75 per week. Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

Analysis

South Korea’s on-again, off-again relationship with nuclear weapons

North Korean threats and anxiety about US extended deterrence have led ROK to flirt with developing nukes since 1970s

James Fretwell February 1, 2023

South Korea’s on-again, off-again relationship with nuclear weapons

The White House (May 21, 2022), Joint Inter-Korean Summit Press Corps - NKNEWS (Sept. 19, 2018) and Rodong Sinmun (Nov. 20, 2022), edited by NK News

“We could acquire our own nuclear weapons.”

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s comments earlier this year marked his most explicit to date about the possibility of South Korea going nuclear. His remarks alarmed many experts, yet they reflect concerns of many in the South about the ever-growing threat from North Korea, and whether the U.S. will really come to its defense when push comes to shove.

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