Seoul: North Korea is even less likely to give up its nuclear program amid the US-Iran war, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said during a recent interview with The Economist, published on Wednesday. "Following the (start of the) war in Iran, North Korea will be even less inclined to give up its arsenal," Lee stated.

According to Anadolu Agency, US President Donald Trump's "unique personality" can be "very helpful" in the current situation with North Korea, Lee added. Pyongyang has declared its nuclear program as "non-negotiable," emphasizing that North Korea's nuclear status is "irreversible."

The US-Iran conflict began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. Tehran retaliated with attacks targeting Israel and US allies in the Gulf, subsequently closing the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, took effect on April 8.

"When it comes to the defense of our nation, we must take matters into our own hands," Lee noted. His government has committed to increasing defense spending from 2.7% to 3.5% of GDP, aligning with Trump's calls for allies to boost military expenditures.

Lee mentioned that Seoul would seek US approval to develop nuclear fuel enrichment and reprocessing capabilities for civilian purposes only, ensuring that enrichment would be limited to the low levels required to power reactors. He also remarked that it is "not desirable nor realistic" for South Korea to pursue its own nuclear weapons.

Acknowledging the possibility of facing impeachment or imprisonment after leaving office, Lee noted that five trials against him are currently on hold while he remains president. On the topic of artificial intelligence and the surge in AI-related investments, Lee suggested the need for new mechanisms, such as a basic income grant, to "distribute some of the excess profits to the general public."

Lee also advocated for more balanced regional development, urging chipmakers to establish supply chains in less-developed areas of the country. He expressed optimism that South Korea can "move beyond this normalization of the abnormal" and potentially "develop into a nation that leads the world" following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 2024 brief martial law declaration.