South Korea Weighs Nuclear Against North Korea Threats: A Diplomatic Dilemma

South Korea's Defence Minister Shin Won-sik warns that developing nuclear weapons could jeopardize the U.S. alliance and destabilize financial markets. Amid rising North Korean nuclear threats, calls for a homegrown arsenal grow louder. However, Shin argues for enhancing U.S. deterrence as the most effective countermeasure.

South Korea could jeopardize its alliance with the United States and shock financial markets if it proceeds with developing nuclear weapons, according to Defence Minister Shin Won-sik. He dismissed renewed calls within the country for a self-sufficient arsenal aimed at deterring North Korea.

The rapid expansion of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities has led to increased calls from South Korean officials and President Yoon Suk Yeol's conservative ruling party to develop nuclear weapons. The potential return of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who questioned the cost of U.S. military presence in South Korea and held unprecedented talks with North Korea, has intensified the debate.

Shin, a former three-star army general and lawmaker, cautioned that pursuing a nuclear arsenal could result in devastating economic and diplomatic fallout. "Withdrawing from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty would cause immediate shocks in our financial market and create a significant rift in the U.S. alliance," he told Reuters.

(With inputs from agencies.)