Kim Seong-han, Former National Security Office Chief, "One and a Half Years Before US Election Is NCG Golden Time... Must Accelerate"

Possibility of New Isolationism Revival Considered
Ahead of US Presidential Election in November Next Year
NCG Now Is the Golden Time
Cooperation with Korea Benefits US National Interest
Must Remind Presidential Candidates

Former National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han stated regarding the Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), agreed upon during President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to the United States last April, that "we need to learn the details of nuclear planning and operations from the US, and from now on, we must accelerate the pace." He also mentioned that with the US presidential election scheduled for November next year, the next year and a half represents a "golden time" to properly familiarize ourselves with the nuclear operational system.

Former Director Kim made these remarks in his keynote speech at the Choi Jong-won Institute's event titled "The Washington Declaration and the Future of the Korea-US Alliance," held on the 26th at the Grand Walkerhill in Seoul.

He said, "With the Washington Declaration and the launch of the NCG, the first button has been fastened well, so from now on, we must 'speed up.' Since we are a non-nuclear state, we have a severe shortage of experts in nuclear weapons operations."

Kim Sung-han, former Director of the National Security Office

NCG Deputy Secretary Represents... To Enhance Practical Capabilities

Former Director Kim emphasized, "The original intent of the NCG was to show a strong will and passion toward 'nuclear operational realism,' such as demanding 'operational planning of extended deterrence' through working-level consultations, so that the US does not revert to 'nuclear operational mysticism'." He added that the agreement for the NCG to be represented by deputy secretaries from both sides was also to enhance practical capabilities. This is to ensure that the deputy secretaries of both countries, who are directly responsible for planning and operations rather than ministers or vice ministers, communicate regularly with directors and working-level officials and operate as one body."

He stressed, "If the first NCG meeting formed a general and overall consensus, the upcoming working-level consultations must identify the main tasks the NCG will undertake." He listed the key discussion points as including ▲a list of information to be closely shared, ▲joint planning guidelines, ▲future exercise implementation plans such as tabletop exercises and simulations to be conducted by both countries, and ▲consultation procedures between the two countries in the event of a North Korean nuclear threat or imminent use.

He mentioned the importance of the role of our Strategic Command. Former Director Kim said, "In the process of setting the goals and missions of the Strategic Command to be established next year, we must deeply consider how to contribute to the joint operation of Korea-US extended deterrence."

November Election... Possibility of New Isolationism Revival... NCG's Golden Time is Now

On April 26, 2023, President Yoon Suk-yeol, on a state visit to the United States, and U.S. President Joe Biden shake hands during a small-scale summit meeting between South Korea and the U.S. held at the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C.

He also analyzed the functional relationship between the US presidential election next November and the Korea-US alliance. He pointed out that among the US presidential candidates, there are those with "America First, alliance disregard," and neo-isolationist tendencies. Former Director Kim said, "Next year's US presidential election will determine whether the US will continue to value alliances within the liberal international order or return to neo-isolationism and distance itself from alliances."

He added, "The next year and a half is the 'golden time' given to us," and said, "During that period, we must accelerate working-level consultations so that Korea-US extended deterrence can be operationally planned and we can properly familiarize ourselves with the nuclear operational system."

He emphasized that the US must recognize Korea's strategic value in its relations with China and Russia. Former Director Kim stated, "If US leadership is aware of strategic competition with China and Russian adventurism, a 'nuclear posture' based on alliances is important," and highlighted the importance of having military power, doctrine, plans, and rules established for nuclear weapon use together with allied countries.

Solidarity with Korea Benefits US National Interest... Must Inform Major Presidential Candidates

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the first meeting of the Korea-US 'Nuclear Consultative Group' (NCG) held on the 18th at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. From the front row, right side: Kim Tae-hyo, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office; Cho Tae-yong, Director of the National Security Office; President Yoon; Kurt Campbell, US National Security Council (NSC) Indo-Pacific Coordinator; Kara Abercrombie, NSC Defense and Arms Control Policy Coordinator.

Former Director Kim said, "We must explain these points to the major US presidential candidates," and raised his voice, "They must be convinced that solidarity with Korea in the restructuring of global value chains, cybersecurity, and energy security benefits US national interests, so that US leadership will recognize the value of the Korea-US military alliance."

In fact, since 1948 until 2010, the US has only militarily intervened five times due to obligations to alliances rather than national interests. It is US precedent to have undertaken military intervention without alliance treaties if it aligned with national interests. Former Director Kim's judgment is that not only a 'balance of capabilities' but also a 'balance of interests' must be met to induce US intervention.

He said, "When leading US presidential candidates share with us the values of liberal democracy as well as Korea's geopolitical and geoeconomic value, the sustainability of the Korea-US alliance will increase," and added, "Only then can we promise a solid future for the Korea-US alliance."

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