South Korean President Lee Jae-myung speaks during an event of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council at KINTEX in Goyang, north of Seoul, on December 2, 2025. Photo: IC

 
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung on Tuesday dismissed calls for South Korea's own nuclear armament, saying it would be "impossible" to gain the international community's approval, Yonhap News Agency reported on Tuesday. 

Lee made the remark during a Cabinet meeting amid renewed calls from some opposition lawmakers to push for the country's nuclear armament.

The calls have come in light of the US' recent support for processes leading to South Korea's civil uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing for peaceful use, according to Yonhap. 

"If we were to go nuclear, it would be impossible to gain the approval of the US or the international community, and economic and international sanctions would immediately follow. Would we be able to bear that?" Lee asked. 

Lee further stressed that the "impossible" arguments for nuclear armament were threatening to block South Korea's pursuit of spent fuel reprocessing and uranium enrichment capabilities.

Meanwhile, Lee asked the foreign ministry to ensure the political circles stop such "irresponsible" talk, Yonhap reported. 

Global Times