South Korean poll shows strong public backing for independent nuclear arsenal
A Gallup Korea survey found that 65% of adults support South Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons, while 30% oppose the idea.
Gallup Korea surveyed 1,001 South Korean adults and reported that 65% think the nation should possess nuclear weapons on its own, compared with 30% who disagree. Among political lines, 78% of People Power Party supporters and 60% of Democratic Party supporters backed the proposal. Even among respondents who do not believe North Korea poses a war threat, a majority still favor a Korean nuclear arsenal.
The poll also explored views on transferring wartime operational control of troops from Washington, with 46% favoring completion during President Lee Jae Myung's term ending in 2030 and 41% preferring a delay. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.
Why it matters
Public backing for nuclear weapons could shape South Korea's defense policy and regional security dynamics.
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