Panelists speak during the Seoul Diplomacy Forum hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, under the theme of "Continuity and Change in the U.S.-led International Order," in Seoul, Sept. 4. Yonhap

Former top diplomats said Thursday that the idea of South Korea acquiring its own nuclear weapons is not a realistic option, despite uncertainties in the geopolitical landscape.

The remarks were made during the Seoul Diplomacy Forum, an annual event hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy. The forum, held under the theme "Continuity and Change in the U.S.-led International Order," brought together former foreign ministers, high-ranking officials and experts from both South Korea and abroad.

"If the U.S. were to withdraw its extended deterrence commitment and tell us to handle things on our own, South Korea would naturally need to consider the nuclear option," said Yoon Young-kwan, former foreign minister and chairman of the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a South Korean think tank. "However, that situation has not yet arrived."

Yoon, who served under a liberal administration, added that the option of South Korea going nuclear would have a direct negative impact on the South Korea-U.S. alliance.

Nevertheless, Yoon noted that the option could possibly be explored if a Republican candidate wins the upcoming U.S. election, resulting in extreme isolationist policies.

Even in such cases, Yoon emphasized that "the cost-effectiveness of the nuclear option must be thoroughly calculated."

Yu Myung-hwan, who served as foreign minister from 2008 to 2010 under the conservative Lee Myung-bak government, also voiced skepticism about the nuclear option.

"While it may theoretically be an option, given the current international situation and the U.S. stance, it is not a realistic choice," Yu stated.

Public calls for the idea of South Korea's nuclear armament has grown in South Korea as North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats raised doubts about the credibility of the United States' commitment to extended deterrence. (Yonhap)