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Backups are needed to confirm the declaration

Published: 27 Apr. 2023, 20:41

President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed on strengthening nuclear deterrence against growing threats from North Korea after a summit in Washington D.C. The changes were laid out in the joint statement dubbed the “Washington Declaration,” the first separate narrative on nuclear deterrence in 70 years of the alliance.

The keystones are the establishment of a joint nuclear consultative group (NCG) modelled after the NATO Nuclear Planning Group, regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets like nuclear-armed submarines and strategic bombers to South Korea, and a recommitment to the Non-Proliferation Treaty by South Korea.

The declaration is a practical compromise between Seoul and Washington over the deepening security threat from the nuclear and missile capabilities of North Korea and their response to rapid changes in international geopolitics and security environments. Many in South Korea had wondered if Washington would really come to defend Seoul when New York could be threatened by ICBM attacks from North Korea.

The centerpiece of Yoon’s visit is the launch of a bilateral NCG that would regularly discuss response actions based on U.S. nuclear strategy. The two governments through the channel will be coordinating strategies against diverse contingencies. Washington said that Seoul will be able to share “additional insight” into how the U.S. plans and prepares for major contingencies.

To earn trust in its nuclear umbrella, the U.S. will have strategic assets like nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines regularly visit Korea and the surrounding area. Military drills and simulation activities will help raise defense capabilities further to deter North Korea’s provocations.

In return, the U.S. has asked for South Korea’s recommitment to NPT obligations. The provision comes amid the recent talk of South Korea developing native nuclear weapons. The approval of South Korea’s own nuclear armaments gained 60 percent in public poll. But Washington made it clear that tactical or any other types of nuclear weapons will not be redeployed in Korea. The U.S. stressed that the two leaders made a strategic — and mutual — promise.

Although enhanced deterrence is meaningful, it remains to be seen if it is really reliable. Follow-up actions on the working level are needed to confirm. The two governments also must continue joint military drills so that the declaration does not simply end with a declaration. As flexing muscles alone can hardly ensure peace, both sides must continue with their efforts to bring the recalcitrant government in Pyongyang to the negotiating table.