Will South Korea and Japan Take the Nuclear Route? China, Japan and South Korea's Turn Elizabeth Cobbs Hoffman, author, "American Umpire" The U.S. has provided stalwart leadership in Asia since World War II, but good leaders develop new ones. Seoul's Nuclear Weapon Is the U.S. Siegfried S. Hecker and Scott D. Sagan, Stanford University Turning to nuclear weapons would isolate South Korea and damage its economy while doing little to make it more secure. China Must Weigh Its Options Daniel Blumenthal, American Enterprise Institute If Kim Jong-un and his arsenal remain, China's great fear that Japan and South Korea will acquire nuclear weapons becomes more likely. For South Korea, It's Unrealistic Duyeon Kim, The Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation The more important question: Does President Obama have a clear North Korea policy, or even an interest in developing one? For Japan, There Are Other Options Narushige Michishita, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, Tokyo The likely scenarios for a North Korean attack on Japan don't require a nuclear response. The U.S. and Its Allies Need a Strong Defense Bruce Klingner, The Heritage Foundation Since diplomatic efforts have failed to curb North Korea's reckless behavior, the U.S. and its allies need strong military forces to protect themselves.