North Korea’s spate of missile tests since the start of the year and the increasing likelihood that Pyongyang will conduct a seventh nuclear test have given added impetus to South Korea’s nuclear debate. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and associated nuclear threats against the U.S. have also compounded concerns among South Korean policymakers about the country’s vulnerability to nuclear coercion by Kim Jong Un. 

In response to these threats, a consistent majority of the South Korean public favors acquiring nuclear weapons. It is now commonplace to hear calls from South Korean politicians, experts and commentators for U.S. deployment of low-yield “tactical” nuclear weapons (TNW) or a “sharing” arrangement in which South Korean aircraft and pilots would be equipped to deliver U.S. nuclear weapons during a conflict.