U.S. and South Korea Establish Nuclear Strategy Framework to Deter and Address North Korean Threats

In a meeting on the sidelines of a NATO summit, U.S. President Joe Biden assured South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol that the U.S. is fully committed to deterring North Korea using a comprehensive range of capabilities, including nuclear forces. The leaders authorized a guideline aimed at establishing an integrated extended deterrence system for the Korean Peninsula to counter North Korea’s nuclear and military threats.

This guideline formalizes the deployment of U.S. nuclear assets in and around the Korean Peninsula to deter and respond to any potential nuclear attacks from the North. Kim Tae-hyo, Yoon’s deputy national security adviser, stated that this means U.S. nuclear weapons are specifically designated for missions related to the Korean Peninsula.

Biden and Yoon also issued a joint statement announcing the signing of the “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula.” The statement reaffirms their commitments under the U.S.-ROK Washington Declaration, emphasizing that any nuclear attack by North Korea against South Korea will trigger a swift and decisive response.

Cheong Seong-Chang, a security strategy expert, highlighted that the new nuclear guideline represents significant progress in how the allies will address nuclear threats from North Korea. However, he pointed out that South Korea’s full confidence hinges on a U.S. promise for immediate nuclear retaliation in case of a North Korean attack, a guarantee he deems unrealistic. He also questioned whether this nuclear guideline would endure through potential changes in U.S. administration.

Yoon’s office classified the guideline. North Korea has recently intensified its nuclear policy, codifying the use of nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats and enshrining the advancement of its nuclear capabilities in its constitution. Earlier this year, North Korea designated South Korea as its “primary foe,” threatening to annihilate it for allegedly collaborating with the U.S. to wage war.

Both Seoul and Washington deny any aggressive intentions toward Pyongyang but assert their readiness to counter any North Korean aggression, evidenced by increased joint military drills.

Additionally, Yoon pledged South Korea’s continued support for Ukraine, promising to double its contribution to a NATO trust fund from $12 million in 2024. This fund is intended for short-term non-lethal military assistance and long-term capability-building support. While there was no announcement of direct military aid to Ukraine, Yoon’s administration is reportedly considering supplying weapons, moving away from its previous policy that limited assistance to humanitarian efforts.