South Korea's nuclear debate

There are strong reasons why this debate should be looked at very carefully in Washington

As concern regarding an imminent North Korean nuclear test increases, the debate on South Korea securing its own nuclear weapons is also increasing. There are strong reasons why this debate should be looked at very carefully in Washington.

The current debate started with recent discussions in the Yoon Administration regarding the hosting of U.S. tactical nuclear weapons. South Korea has not hosted U.S. tactical nuclear weapons since 1991. Securing an agreement to host U.S. tactical nuclear weapons would allow the Yoon Administration to demonstrate that it is taking action to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons capacity.

However, in many ways, the debate on hosting U.S. tactical nuclear weapons is moot. South Korea would have no control over their use; it would further justify North Korea’s position in the eyes of those who already justify it; and it would be strategically impotent — with its U.S. mutual defense treaty, South Korea already sits under the “nuclear umbrella”. Any North K…