Growing Support In South Korea For Developing Their Own Nuclear Weapons

Photo: President Barack Obama holds a bilateral meeting with President Park Geun-hye of the Republic of Korea, in the Oval Office, May 7, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

More South Koreans Support Developing Nuclear Weapons -- L.A. Times

Growing concern about North Korea's nuclear program has led many in South Korea to favor the idea of building atomic weapons. Japan too is discussing such a move.

SEOUL — Perhaps it is merely basic human desire to keep up with the neighbors, but an increasing number of South Koreans are saying that they want nuclear weapons too.

Even in Japan, a country still traumatized by the legacy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, there is a debate about the once-taboo topic of nuclear weapons.

The mere fact that the bomb is being discussed as a policy option shows how North Korea's nuclear program could trigger a new arms race in East Asia, unraveling decades of nonproliferation efforts. The government in Pyongyang conducted its third nuclear test in February and is believed to be preparing a fourth.

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My Comment: This same sentiment is also growing in Japan .... but for both countries this is (fortunately) still a minority position.