[Achievements of Yoon's US Visit] The 'South Korea-US Mutual Defense Treaty' Changed to Include Nuclear Concept

'Peace Through Power Supremacy'... Reaffirmed 'Washington Declaration'
Controversy Arises Over 'Nuclear Sharing' Perception Gap Between Two Governments
Yoon "Not a Matter of Changing Effect... A Complete Legacy for Future Generations"

The greatest significance of the 5-night, 7-day state visit to the United States lies in upgrading the ROK-US Mutual Defense Treaty to a mutual defense concept that includes nuclear weapons. The achievements in economic security, technological innovation, global issues, and cultural and human exchanges during President Yoon Suk-yeol's visit to the U.S. were also realized under the firm military and security cooperation. However, contrary to the Presidential Office's explanation that "the plan to strengthen extended deterrence was documented as a separate declaration between the leaders called the 'Washington Declaration,' consolidating the highest level of will," there was some controversy due to political interpretations.

During this ROK-US summit, both leaders agreed on "peace through superiority of power." President Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden exchanged warning messages to the North Korean regime through the summit and adopted the "Washington Declaration" to activate a new extended deterrence system.

At the summit, President Yoon stated, "The Republic of Korea and the United States have agreed to hold immediate consultations between the leaders in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack, and through this, to take a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response using all allied forces, including U.S. nuclear weapons." This means that in the face of North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, the two countries have dramatically strengthened extended deterrence to achieve peace through overwhelming superiority of power, not relying on false peace based on the other's goodwill.

The establishment of the "Nuclear Consultation Group (NCG)" to specifically operate the new ROK-US extended deterrence system was formalized. This is a plan to share information on nuclear and strategic weapons operation plans in response to North Korean threats and to jointly plan and execute combined operations that integrate South Korea's advanced conventional forces with U.S. nuclear forces. Detailed policies were also disclosed to hold specialized nuclear-related discussions between the ROK and the U.S. quarterly, four times a year.

Although tactical nuclear weapons or similar nuclear assets will not be deployed on the Korean Peninsula, U.S. nuclear assets of a comparable level are expected to be stationed around the peninsula, enabling a different level of nuclear sharing. A senior official from the Presidential Office said, "Within a few weeks, nuclear submarines will be deployed to the Korean Peninsula, and the U.S. will frequently move and deploy strategic assets near the peninsula," adding, "There is now an agreement to deploy nuclear submarines almost regularly and very frequently to the Korean Peninsula."

Regarding North Korea's nuclear threat, President Yoon explained, "We have decided to further develop tabletop simulation exercises to prepare for nuclear crisis situations," and "The deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula will be regular and continuous." President Biden also stated that "North Korea's nuclear attack on the U.S., its allies, or partners is unacceptable." He warned that if North Korea carries out a nuclear attack, it "will bring about the end of the regime," adding, "Extended deterrence (strengthening) means that no matter what actions we take, we will conduct more consultations."

There was also controversy arising from differing interpretations of "nuclear sharing." Ed Kagan, Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania at the White House National Security Council (NSC), said about the Washington Declaration, "I don't think it should be seen as nuclear sharing." Kagan emphasized, "The definition of nuclear sharing is related to control of weapons," and "I want to make it very clear that this is not the case."

However, President Yoon personally clarified the "Washington Declaration," which centers on the establishment of the "Nuclear Consultation Group," calling it an "inevitable choice that can no longer be reversed." He explained that along with the U.S. administration's obligations, the South Korean government also has the obligation not to develop independent nuclear weapons and to respect the NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty), stating, "The effectiveness will not change just because government officials change."

Meanwhile, on the previous day (the 30th), President Biden posted on his Twitter, "The alliance between the United States and South Korea was born not from sharing a border, but from shared beliefs," adding, "Democracy, freedom, and security. Above all, freedom." He also posted a 1 minute and 42 seconds video featuring scenes from the summit with President Yoon, which included Biden's narration. Emphasizing the ROK-US alliance, President Yoon described the alliance as "a precious legacy that must be fully passed on to future generations."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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