What makes South Koreans so eager for nuclear deterrent?

70% of public favor going nuclear to counter threats from Pyongyang, Beijing

A missile is fired during joint U.S.-South Korea military drills at an undisclosed location in South Korea in May 2022. (South Korea Defense Ministry via AP)

HIROSHI MINEGISHI, Nikkei senior staff writer

February 19, 2023 10:09 JST

TOKYO -- A large majority of South Koreans support the idea of arming the country with nuclear weapons in the face of growing threats from North Korea.

Recent polls show that more than 70% of those surveyed support the deployment of nuclear arms in the country. "We must make overwhelmingly superior war preparations [to ensure peace]," said South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in December last year, echoing the public sentiment on the issue.