U.S. experts on Korean affairs say South Korea will see its international status and leadership role rise through the hosting of the second Nuclear Security Summit in 2012.

David Straub, who formerly served as the chief of the Korea desk at the State Department, said Wednesday that the designation demonstrates South Korea’s heightened role in the international community and the deepening of South Korea-U.S. relations. Straub added that it also reflects the solid personal relationship between President Lee Myung-bak and U.S. President Barack Obama.

Straub said that South Korea’s hosting of the nuclear event will serve as a way for the international community to pressure North Korea to change its stance on its nuclear ambitions.

Scott Snyder, the director of the Asia Foundation’s Center for U.S.-Korea Policy, said that by hosting the nuclear gathering, South Korea will have the opportunity to show its leadership.

Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow specializing in Asian affairs at the Heritage Foundation, said South Korea’s hosting of the nuclear summit will provide the opportunity to refocus global interest on Pyongyang’s nuclear threats.