South Korea: We want a nuclear weapon!

South Korea:

We want a nuclear weapon!

South Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons is driven by its concern for its security and the difficulty of its geopolitical position. So how does writer Michelle Platt analyze her current position at National International?

The insecure neighbourhood is pushing South Koreans to think of nuclear weapons

especially as confidence in the United States has declined further. Korean enthusiasm for a nuclear program did not subside until

a U.S.nuclea :

 submarine docked at a Korean port following

the agreement of Presidents Yun Suk Yol and Joe Biden.

But why :

is South Korea's growing concern?

According to Dr. Cheung Chang :

one of the most prominent advocates of Korea's nuclear development, the risks are very high. The first was the threat of North Korea, which had recently tested solid fuel missiles, and offered a nuclear warhead fit for short ballistic missiles.

China and Russia are also nuclear-armed

and their relationship with south Korea is worsening.

In addition :

China's nuclear weapons stockpile will rise to

1,500 nuclear warheads in the next decade.

A poll shows that 70% of :

Koreans believe South Korea needs nuclear weapons

and Zhang argues that

South Korea's nuclear :

1. armament is in its own interest
2. and that of the United States
3. as well because it

will not have to confront North Korea alone.

in addition to alleviating South Korea's dependence on the United States. Zhang also has another argument that American forces in the south will deter North Korea only if attacked.

The Hancock :

Ilbo survey shows that about 37% of :

Koreans believe America will not support them unconditionally.

n any event :

as long as south Korea does not feel safe

calls for nuclear conversion will remain and warnings will also remain.

South Korea's :

desire for nuclear weapons is :

a complex issue with a long history. In the early 1970s

South Korea began to develop its own nuclear weapons program

but this program was halted :

in the late 1970 :

under pressure from the United States.

In the years since :

South Korea has maintained a policy of nuclear ambiguity

neither confirming nor denying that it has nuclear weapons.

However :

there are also a number of :

reasons why South Korea might choose not to develop nuclear weapons.

First :

it would be expensive

and time-consuming to develop

a nuclear weapons program.

Second :

South Korea would face international pressure to

abandon its nuclear weapons program

and this could damage its relations with its allies.

Third :

there is a risk that South Korea's nuclear weapons could fall into the wrong hands

or that they could be used in a conflict, with devastating consequences.

Ultimately :

the decision of whether or not to develop :

nuclear weapons is a complex one that South Korea will need to make carefully.

There are a number of :

factors to consider, including the security threat posed by North Korea, the cost of developing a nuclear weapons program, and the potential risks of proliferation.