South Korea may seek nuclear weapons

Significance Yoon had controversially raised that prospect a year ago. Han Dong-hoo -- head of Yoon’s conservative ruling People Power Party (PPP), and a likely future presidential contender -- echoed the comments broadcast last month. Yoon’s and Han’s transactional statements suggest Seoul’s calculus could change in future. Impacts Were South Korea to go nuclear, this might prompt similar moves by Japan and/or Taiwan; both have the technical capacity to do so. Any move by Seoul to acquire nuclear weapons would seriously undermine the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, with global ramifications. In the current international climate, major power South Korea would be subject to light sanctions, given Pyongyang-linked hazards. The period between Seoul, Tokyo or Taipei announcing nuclear weapons and achieving them would be more unstable than before or after.