South Korea reveals ability to develop nuclear weapons

"Dick Cheney and I will make this world safer, stronger and better for every American," says George W. Bush today at a rally in Missouri.

In the meantime, South Korea admitted last week they had begun conducting secret experiments with enriched uranium, the ingredient for nuclear energy.

The Financial Times reports:

"South Korea, Japan and Taiwan have all refrained from developing nuclear arsenals because they enjoy the military protection of the United States.

However, the growing military and economic power of China, the threat posed by North Korea and weakening ties with Washington since the end of the Cold War are causing the three US allies to question their security.

A US announcement last month of plans to reduce its number of troops in Asia by about 20,000 in the next 10 years has increased doubts about US commitment to defend its allies."