South Korea to build nuclear bomb? Rumours rife as Seoul mulls reprocessing spent nuclear fuel

Tue Oct 22 15:18:32 UTC 2024: – South Korea’s top envoy to the U.S., Ambassador Cho Hyun-dong, mentioned that Seoul is seeking permission from the U.S. to build and operate facilities for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, which has raised speculation about South Korea’s intentions to develop nuclear weapons.
– Analysts express concern that the reprocessed fuel could potentially be used to create nuclear bombs by extracting fissile material.
– Senior researcher Seong-chang from the Sejong Institute warned that South Korea could start nuclear production within three to six months if access to these facilities is granted.
– Some experts believe that acquiring nuclear latency, similar to Japan, could serve as a deterrent against North Korea’s frequent nuclear threats.
– South Korea has relied on the U.S. nuclear umbrella for defense against North Korea’s threats, but officials have hinted at exploring all options if the situation worsens.
– Defence Minister Kim Yong-ho has previously stated that South Korea’s survival may depend on acquiring nuclear capabilities, emphasizing the need for a “balance of fear” to neutralize threats from neighboring countries.