Will South Korea or Japan develop a nuclear deterrent of their own?

The question of whether South Korea and Japan will develop their own nuclear deterrent has gained significant attention following the US-led war on Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency's director general has sounded the alarm about a "rationalisation" of nuclear weapons discourse in the two countries. For decades, this topic was considered fringe speculation, but now it is being taken seriously by experts and policymakers. A majority of South Koreans, according to recent polls, want their country to possess nuclear weapons. Japan's stance on nuclear proliferation remains unclear. The shift in the nuclear debate in these countries is attributed to changing global circumstances, including the war on Iran, which has raised concerns about regional security and the need for deterrence.