Is it a Nuclear Hedge? Why South Korea Should Reassure About Its Non-Weapons Nuclear Intentions
South Korea’s pursuit of civilian uranium enrichment and nuclear-powered submarines marks an expansion of its nuclear ambitions. While these initiatives are intended to advance the country’s commercial, industrial and defence objectives, their combination could fuel concerns that Seoul is seeking to develop nuclear weapons latency as a hedge against future security uncertainties. Such perceptions risk complicating international cooperation and undermining confidence in South Korea’s commitment to non-proliferation.
In this policy brief, Matthew Sharp, Celia McDowall, and Toby Dalton examine how South Korea can address these concerns through credible reassurance measures. They explore how Seoul can convince allies, partners and regional neighbours that its nuclear initiatives serve legitimate civilian and defensive purposes, while identifying practical steps to sustain international confidence in South Korea’s non-proliferation commitments.
About the Authors
Matthew Sharp is a senior fellow at MIT’s Center for Nuclear Security Policy, and formerly worked on nuclear issues at the U.S. State Department.
Celia McDowall contributed to this article while serving as a research assistant with the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She
recently joined the Nuclear Information Project at the Federation of American Scientists as a research and program associate.
Toby Dalton is senior fellow and co-director of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
The opinions articulated above represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Asia-Pacific Leadership Network or any of its members. The APLN website is a source of authoritative research and analysis and serves as a platform for debate and discussion among our senior network members, experts and practitioners, as well as the next generation of policymakers, analysts and advocates. Comments and responses can be emailed to apln@apln.network.
Image: First Future Defense Strategy Committee Meeting, Blue House, Republic of Korea
