Lessons from Russia's Nuclear Forward‐Deployment to Belarus for the USA and South Korea

Following Belarus's request, Russia deployed its nuclear weapons to Belarus within one or two years, whereas the USA has not even engaged in discussions on a similar option for South Korea, which has faced an existential nuclear threat from North Korea. This article seeks to extract key insights from Belarus's experience and propose corresponding policy implications for the US–South Korea alliance. In particular, the USA must soberly assess whether the current North Korean nuclear threat warrants its nuclear forward‐deployment and whether its strategic interests in South Korea are vital enough to justify such a step. Specifically, it should closely examine the option of submarine‐based forward‐deployment, which could exploit North Korea's maritime vulnerabilities while minimizing criticism from Russia, China, and the broader international community. Simultaneously, South Korea should make sustained efforts to enhance its perceived strategic value to the USA.