South Korea’s ruling party leader hints at need for nuclear weapons

• The leader of South Korea’s ruling party has warned that the country may have to “seriously consider” developing its own nuclear weapons as a deterrent to its northern neighbour in the wake of Pyongyang’s latest barrage of missile tests.
• Chung Jin Suk, a lawmaker and head of the conservative People Power party, told a party meeting on 20 Feb that South Korea needed to reinforce its ability to deter hostilities from Pyongyang, including by strengthening its “kill chain” pre-emptive strike strategy.
• South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol has also raised the prospect of Seoul pursuing an independent nuclear deterrent in response to escalating provocations from its northern adversary.
• This is the first time in the post-cold war era that a South Korean president has publicly acknowledged that Seoul could acquire its own nuclear weapons, although he has since clarified that it was not an active policy.
• The US is strongly opposed to South Korea acquiring an independent nuclear deterrent, which it fears could spark a regional arms race that would irreparably harm global non-proliferation efforts. Instead, Washington is seeking to reassure Seoul of its commitment to South Korea’s defence.

External Link : https://www.ft.com/content/ef4d3f20-72db-4e0e-82b6-eb36ecfc4c84