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South Koreans Want Their Own Nuclear Arsenal
- Many adults in South Korea believe it would be in their best interest to acquire nuclear arms, according to a poll by JoongAng Ilbo. 65 per cent of respondents think their country should develop nuclear weapons.
Before the start of 2005, seven countries in the world—Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, Russia and the United States—had acknowledged possessing nuclear arsenals. Under the "strategic ambiguity" policy, Israel has refused to publicly discuss its purported nuclear capabilities. In February 2005, the government of North Korea admitted publicly for the first time that it possesses nuclear weapons.
In July, North Korea launched seven missiles—including the Taepodong-2—which landed in the Sea of Japan close to Russian coastal areas. On Oct. 9, the country announced it had successfully carried out a test detonation of a nuclear weapon.
Diplomatic relations between the North and South have been strained since the end of the Korean War. A one-mile demilitarized zone has separated the two countries since 1953.
Yesterday, South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun discussed the current state of affairs, saying, "North Korea has justified its nuclear weapon possession by citing the need to maintain security. But the security threats claimed by North Korea are actually nonexistent or exaggerated. (...) Two broad means of settlement can be discussed. One is strong sanctions and the other is a peaceful settlement through dialogue. We should strategically mix the two."
Polling Data
Should South Korea develop nuclear weapons?
Yes | 65% |
No | 32% |
Source: JoongAng Ilbo
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 760 South Korean adults, conducted on Oct. 10, 2006. Margin of error is 2.8 per cent.