South Korea would put itself at serious risk if it pursues nuclear weapons to counter North Korea, a former U.S. nuclear official has warned, suggesting Pyongyang or even Beijing could carry out preemptive strikes during the development process.

Dr. Vipin Narang, former U.S. acting assistant secretary of defense for space policy, told NK News that Seoul would face a dangerous period of vulnerability before completing an indigenous nuclear program, which he said would “provide very little deterrence value” against the DPRK’s growing arsenal.