Conservative leaders in Seoul are increasingly advocating for South Korea to develop its own nuclear weapons in response to the growing security threats posed by North Korea and other regional concerns. This push, previously on the fringes of South Korean politics, has gained momentum following the high-profile meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The recent agreement between Russia and North Korea, which includes mutual defense provisions, has raised alarm in Seoul, prompting discussions about potentially revising South Korea's policy of providing only nonlethal aid to Ukraine depending on Russia's actions. Lawmakers within the ruling party, such as Rep. Yu Yong-weon and five-time Rep. Na Kyung-won, are leading the debate on pursuing nuclear capabilities. They argue that South Korea's existing nuclear laws, shaped in the 1950s, do not sufficiently address the country's need to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. While the South Korean government maintains that extended deterrence with the US is the most effective way to counter North Korean threats, the debate on nuclear armament continues to divide political and intelligence circles in the country. The National Intelligence Service-run Institute for National Security Strategy has even suggested that South Korea should consider acquiring nuclear weapons or exploring nuclear sharing arrangements with NATO in response to the evolving security landscape.