South Koreans Want an Independent Nuclear Deterrent

South Korea's Hyunmu-2 ballistic missile is fired during an exercise aimed to counter North Korea's nuclear test, in East Coast, South Korea, on Sept. 4, 2017. South Korean Defense Ministry via Getty Images

Commentary

The U.S. nuclear umbrella in Asia is failing. North Korea on Jan. 1 announced plans to “exponentially increase” its nuclear arsenal, including small-yield tactical nuclear weapons for the targeting of South Korea and intercontinental ballistic missile production for the targeting of the United States.