"Majority of Korean People Support Nuclear Armament... Due to Growing Distrust in US Nuclear Policy"

CNN "Growing Distrust in US Extended Deterrence Strategy Sparks Nuclear Armament Debate"
Expert: "Possessing Nukes Won't Necessarily Strengthen Security"

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] The US CNN broadcast mentioned on its internet edition that South Korea's own nuclear armament theory is receiving significant attention, unlike in the past. It also pointed out that the US Extended Deterrence strategy is losing trust in South Korea.

On the 21st (local time), CNN in the US reported in an article titled "Why Koreans Are Losing Trust in the US Nuclear Umbrella" that "Ten years ago, claims for nuclear weapons possession in South Korea were considered a fringe issue not seriously reported, but now it has become a main issue." As key evidence, it cited recent polls showing that the majority of South Korean citizens support possessing their own nuclear weapons, and a series of prominent scholars who once viewed this negatively have shifted to support.

CNN interpreted that the growing distrust in the US Extended Deterrence strategy, known as the nuclear umbrella, is the background of this change. "Currently, South Korea is within the scope of the Extended Deterrence strategy, which includes the nuclear umbrella, obligating the US to support if attacked, but the exact details of what form of support will be provided are unclear," it analyzed.

The 'demonstration firing' of North Korea's new tactical guided weapon (short-range ballistic missile) reported by Chosun Central TV.

Regarding this situation, it introduced that the question "Would the US risk San Francisco to protect Seoul in the event of a nuclear war?" has long been raised in Seoul. This doubt reflects concerns that as North Korea advances its nuclear weapons to have the capability to strike the US mainland, the US government might limit its intervention if its own mainland faces the possibility of retaliatory nuclear attacks.

Additionally, CNN evaluated that former US President Donald Trump, who advocated for the withdrawal of US troops from South Korea during his term and questioned why the US should protect South Korea, has stirred anxiety among Koreans by declaring his candidacy for the 2024 US presidential election.

However, CNN predicted that even if South Korea pursues independent nuclear armament, its security would not be strengthened. This is because it would inevitably face various problems such as difficulties in operating nuclear power plants due to sanctions following withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Jeffrey Lewis, head of the East Asia Nonproliferation Program at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies (MIIS), said, "Looking at Israel, even with nuclear armament, it fears Iran obtaining nuclear weapons," adding, "Israel's nuclear weapons have not fundamentally offset the threat of Iran's nuclear weapons."