South Koreans appear less certain about Trump, who once said he “could go either way” on the idea of U.S. troops staying in South Korea.
"The level of concern is really high,” said a researcher at a government-linked think tank in Seoul, who supports South Korea considering nuclear weapons in certain Trump-related scenarios.
If South Korea ever pursues a nuclear arsenal, the decision will come with massive economic, reputational and regional security risks.
Last January, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol made global headlines when he suggested South Korea could easily develop its own nuclear arms if the security situation with North Korea worsens.
At the time, South Korea was seeing an unprecedented wave of mostly conservative academics, ex-officials and other commentators calling for nuclear weapons.
In return, South Korea reaffirmed it would not pursue nuclear weapons.
Colby also said the United States may not be able to live up to its defense commitments to South Korea if North Korea can conduct nuclear attacks on American cities. »
