The United States Institute for Peace recently published a new article by Dr. Lami Kim, titled “The Risks of South Korea’s Nuclear Armament Under a Troubled Democracy.”

In the article, Dr. Lami Kim examines the escalating nuclear tensions on the Korean Peninsula, highlighting North Korea’s advancements in missile technology and the potential for military collaboration with Russia.

These developments have intensified discussions about South Korea pursuing its own nuclear arsenal. However, Dr. Kim cautions that such a move could destabilize the region, noting, “South Korea’s desire for nuclear weapons is not hard to understand given its security concerns, but nuclearization would not necessarily lead to greater stability on the Korean Peninsula — indeed, it could have the opposite effect.”

Dr. Kim also addresses internal political challenges, referencing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and concerns over South Korea’s democratic stability. She emphasizes that before considering nuclear armament, South Korea must first restore its democracy and the rule of law to rebuild trust that it can act as a responsible state. This restoration is crucial to ensure that any future decisions regarding nuclear capabilities are made responsibly and with international confidence.

Read the full article at: https://www.usip.org/publications/2025/02/risks-south-koreas-nuclear-armament-under-troubled-democracy

Lami Kim is a professor at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, a U.S. Defense Department institute based in Hawaii. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of DKI APCSS, the U.S. Defense Department or the U.S. government.