US Security Advisor: "Extended Deterrence May Involve Trilateral Cooperation Among Korea, US, and Japan in the Future"

Jake Sullivan Gives Positive Assessment on Improving Korea-Japan Relations

In the future, it appears possible that discussions on extended deterrence involving nuclear forces will be conducted among the three countries of South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

According to Japan's NHK on the 17th, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Advisor, positively evaluated the improvement in South Korea-Japan relations, stating that it "also has a good effect on strengthening trilateral relations including the United States."

Regarding extended deterrence consultations, he said, "For now, we will focus on deepening mechanisms between the U.S.-Japan and South Korea-Japan bilateral relations, but afterwards, a decision will be made regarding trilateral cooperation."

Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office (right), is taking a commemorative photo with Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor (left), and Takeo Akiba, Director of Japan's National Security Bureau, at the trilateral security directors' meeting held in Tokyo, Japan, on the 15th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Extended deterrence is one of the United States' security policies aimed at deterring attacks by third countries by expressing the intention to retaliate if an ally is attacked. The nuclear umbrella is also classified as a form of extended deterrence. The core is to deter nuclear attacks on allies through nuclear weapons.

Earlier, in March, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the U.S. government had proposed to the governments of South Korea and Japan the establishment of a new consultative body related to nuclear deterrence. At that time, the Yomiuri Shimbun conveyed that the plan was to create a trilateral consultative body among South Korea, the United States, and Japan, elevating the level above bilateral consultative bodies and strengthening information sharing regarding U.S. nuclear forces.

Meanwhile, regarding China's nuclear weapons buildup, Advisor Sullivan explained that "consultations should be held among the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, and discussions between the U.S. and China are also necessary." He also stated that U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who is scheduled to visit China starting on the 18th, will convey this intention to China.

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