[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Permanent Deployment of Strategic Weapons Instead of Tactical Nukes... The Problem Is China

South Korea and US Decide on Permanent Deployment of US Strategic Assets on Korean Peninsula via SCM
Four Policy Collaborations Including Information Sharing and Joint Planning Like NATO-Style Nuclear Sharing
Permanent Deployment of Strategic Assets Seen as 'Second THAAD'...China's Backlash Expected

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] South Korea and the United States have decided to maintain a permanent deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula instead of deploying tactical nuclear weapons. This means they aim to create a more tightly knit cooperative network, similar to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) style nuclear sharing model.

On the 3rd (local time), Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to "deploy U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula in a timely and coordinated manner as needed, expand measures to counter North Korea’s destabilizing actions, and seek new measures to strengthen deterrence."

In a joint statement released after the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held at the Pentagon in Virginia, the two ministers stated, "We have agreed to further strengthen the alliance’s capabilities, information sharing, consultation procedures, joint planning, and execution to deter and respond to North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile threats."

Immediately after the SCM, Minister Lee said at a joint press conference, "The government is not considering the redeployment of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula." Regarding the timing of North Korea’s imminent nuclear test, he said, "It is difficult to know when it will happen," and added, "While China is believed to have influence over North Korea, considering past nuclear tests conducted regardless of China’s stance, it is hard to say China’s influence is absolute."

On the same day, instead of redeploying tactical nuclear weapons, South Korea and the U.S. announced the permanent deployment of U.S. strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. The cooperation plan between the two countries is inspired by the U.S. and NATO’s nuclear sharing system with non-nuclear countries and aims to strengthen cooperation in four policy categories: ▲ information sharing ▲ consultation during crises ▲ joint planning ▲ joint execution. According to this cooperation by policy category, South Korea’s "voice" in crisis assessment and response, decisions on extended deterrence measures, and nuclear use decisions will be institutionalized and strengthened.

The permanent deployment of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula was already agreed upon by both countries at the end of 2017. However, it was effectively suspended as the situation shifted to a reconciliation and dialogue phase with the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. This year, with the Yoon Suk-yeol administration in office, an agreement on "timely and coordinated deployment of strategic assets" was reached at the South Korea-U.S. summit, and the F-35A stealth fighter, aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76, 103,000 tons), and nuclear-powered submarine USS Annapolis (SSN-760, 6,000 tons) publicly visited the Korean Peninsula.

Compared to NATO-style nuclear sharing, this agreement is more in-depth but decisively differs in that there are no tactical nuclear weapons on the territory. From the perspective of those supporting tactical nuclear deployment, this may be seen as insufficient.

Some view this as a compromise product aiming to achieve effects beyond tactical nuclear deployment while realistically considering that the U.S. does not regard South Korea’s nuclear armament or tactical nuclear deployment as an option. It also has the advantage of being safer than deploying tactical nuclear weapons, which would be the primary target of enemy attacks. Joint execution covers various combined exercises and drills such as extended deterrence operational exercises (TTX) and movements of strategic assets.

The problem lies in China’s opposition. Depending on the types and operational methods of strategic assets deployed on the Korean Peninsula, not only North Korea but also China may strongly oppose, raising the risk of renewed diplomatic friction between South Korea and China following the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) issue. In 2010, after the Cheonan sinking, China strongly opposed the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier entering the West Sea and blocked it. There is concern that this could further strain already fractured South Korea-China relations due to THAAD. The vicious cycle of increased North Korean nuclear and missile capabilities due to pressure, strengthened South Korea-U.S. military responses, China’s opposition, and new provocations by North Korea could worsen the security situation around the Korean Peninsula.

A military official explained, "The U.S. says it has sufficient capability to provide extended deterrence and will demonstrate it, but the issue for us is whether we can trust its execution and how much South Korea’s voice and activities are reflected in the process between U.S. capability, decision-making, and execution. This SCM is an effort to change that."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.