President Yoon Suk-yeol stated this week that South Korea could acquire nuclear weapons if North Korean threats increase, the first time an ROK leader has broached the possibility since the U.S. withdrew its nuclear weapons from the peninsula more than 30 years ago.

While falling short of an official policy declaration, the president’s suggestion has kicked off debate about his administration’s nuclear posture and raised concerns that Seoul’s willingness to entertain an indigenous nuclear program risks compromising its alliance with Washington and the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

But context is important, and