US Official Says "Seeking Changes in North Korea Policy Tools... 'Extended Deterrence' Has Little Impact"

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] A U.S. official stated that the Biden administration is seeking changes in policy measures in response to North Korea's successive nuclear and missile provocations. Doubts were also raised about the extended deterrence effect emphasized by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration.

Ed Kagan, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), made these remarks on the 26th (local time) at a discussion hosted by the U.S. think tank Woodrow Wilson Center.

In response to a question about whether the expanded extended deterrence agreed upon at the recent South Korea-U.S. summit seems to have little effect on North Korea's provocations, Kagan replied, "We have certain policy tools, and we are attempting changes in their use."

He added, "It is particularly interesting that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is demanding extended deterrence in a stronger tone. This is something we have always wanted to provide," but he also assessed, "I do not think extended deterrence itself is clearly the key means to change North Korea's trajectory." He further pointed out, "For years, there have been no doubts about the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to South Korea, but security has become extremely unstable due to North Korea's weapons development."

Earlier, Presidents Yoon Seok-yeol and Biden announced in a joint statement after their first summit on the 21st that the two countries agreed on enhanced extended deterrence, including the reactivation of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSGC) and reaffirmation of the deployment of U.S. strategic assets.

Kagan said on the day, "President Biden has reaffirmed security commitments to South Korea and Japan through two joint statements and confirmed a serious and sustainable diplomatic stance toward North Korea," but added, "We do not have the illusion that there is a magical solution to this issue."

He mentioned that U.S.-South Korea economic cooperation is strengthening, citing President Biden's visit to Samsung's semiconductor plant and his meeting with Chung Eui-sun, Chairman of Hyundai Motor Group, and evaluated, "This shows a new aspect of the U.S.-South Korea alliance. In this new era of competition, this is a key area that confirms how important South Korea is to the United States."

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