Joint U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Deterrence Guidelines Signed Amid Rising North Korea Threats

The U.S. and South Korea signed joint nuclear deterrence guidelines in response to North Korea’s growing nuclear threats. This agreement comes after North Korea and Russia struck a defense pact, raising concerns in the region.

President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Washington to commend the progress made by their countries’ alliance, including the creation of a joint Nuclear Consultative Group. Last year, they established a bilateral consultation body to enhance information-sharing on nuclear and strategic operations, with the U.S. retaining control of its nuclear weapons to ease South Korean worries.

The newly signed “U.S.-ROK Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula” provides a solid foundation for extended deterrence cooperation between the two countries. The guidelines emphasize a swift and decisive response to any nuclear attack by North Korea against South Korea.

The agreement calls for integrating U.S. nuclear assets and South Korean conventional weapons to better respond to North Korean nuclear threats. While the details of the guidelines remain confidential, North Korea is expected to react negatively, accusing its rivals of plotting a nuclear attack.

With North Korea’s advancing nuclear arsenal posing a significant threat to South Korea, the country relies on the U.S. “nuclear umbrella.” Recent North Korean weapons tests have raised concerns about the credibility of the U.S. commitment, especially as North Korea moves closer to acquiring long-range nuclear missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.

The defense pact between North Korea and Russia has further heightened tensions in the region, with analysts noting the strengthened connection between the two countries since the end of the Cold War. The signing of the joint nuclear deterrence guidelines aims to address these escalating threats and enhance the security cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea.