After North Korea's Nuclear Test, Will South Korea And Japan Develop Their Own Nuclear Weapons?

An analyst monitors from a computer screen in the control room of the international nuclear test monitoring agency CTBTO, in Vienna, February 12, 2013.

Rising Voices In S. Korea, Japan Advocate Nuclear Weapons -- Voice of America

SEOUL — North Korea's claim this week to have successfully conducted a third underground nuclear test is prompting some in South Korea and Japan to advocate possessing their own such weapons.

South Korean lawmaker Chung Mong-joon of the governing Saenuri (New Frontier) party made such a remark during a meeting of his colleagues from the National Assembly, comparing the situation with North Korea to “a gangster in the neighborhood buying a brand-new machine gun” and trying to defend oneself with merely a pebble.

Chung is no fringe politician. He is the country's wealthiest lawmaker through his controlling shares in the Hyundai Heavy Industries group.

Read more ....

Update: North’s Test Re-ignites Debate in South on Nuclear Weapons -- Wall Street Journal

My Comment: I do not know about the South Koreans, but I do know that Japan has the capability/resources/material/and knowledge to assemble nuclear weapons very quickly. I guess it all depends on U.S. reactions and commitments. If South Korea and Japan should ever have doubts on U.S. treaty promises .... do not be surprised if both countries start to ponder on the pluses and minuses on having their own nuclear weapons .... even nuclear-allergic Japan.