South Korea-US Prepare to Formalize Extended Deterrence... US Says "Signal to Prove Trust" (Summary)

The leaders of South Korea and the United States plan to announce a separate statement on extended deterrence (nuclear umbrella) in addition to the joint statement, which will be the overall outcome of their summit at the White House on the 26th. If the two countries agree to strengthen extended deterrence and formalize it, it will be the first time that the U.S. nuclear retaliation commitment is explicitly stated in an official document between South Korea and the U.S. It is expected that the security alliance between the two countries will make a progressive advancement on the occasion of President Yoon Seok-yeol's state visit to the U.S.

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Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, stated at a briefing on the 24th (local time) in response to questions about the outcome related to extended deterrence against North Korea, "The two leaders will issue a statement addressing extended deterrence in the context of North Korea's evolving threats."

He explained, "The statement will send a very clear and verifiable signal that the U.S. can be trusted regarding extended deterrence promised to South Korea and the Korean people," adding, "We also recognize that South Korea has faithfully fulfilled its non-proliferation obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and is expected to continue doing so."

Earlier, diplomatic circles in South Korea reported that the two countries were making final adjustments to produce a documented outcome on extended deterrence during this summit.

Sullivan emphasized again, "I believe the people of South Korea and the U.S. expect a summit with tangible results in the security field," and "We will have an outcome related to extended deterrence."

In addition to extended deterrence, the summit between President Yoon and President Joe Biden is expected to reveal outcomes related to investment, strengthening human ties, cyber cooperation, and climate change mitigation.

Sullivan noted, "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is doing more than ever before in the region and globally," mentioning South Korea's support for Ukraine, participation in sanctions against Russia, and investment in the U.S.

He also stated that the Ukraine war will be a major agenda item at the summit, saying, "South Korea has steadfastly supported Ukraine since Russia's brutal invasion," and "It has pledged over $230 million (approximately 307 billion KRW) in humanitarian aid to Ukraine and joined the international community by implementing sanctions and export controls against Russia."

Sullivan emphasized that economic and human ties between the two countries will be central during President Yoon's state visit to the U.S. He said, "In just over two years under the Biden administration, South Korea has invested more than $100 billion (133.5 trillion KRW) in the U.S.," adding, "This investment includes Samsung's semiconductor plant, Hyundai Motor's electric vehicle factory construction, SK's large-scale new investments, and battery plant establishment." He also forecasted that significant investments in the economic sector will be announced through this South Korea-U.S. summit.

He said, "Under the Biden administration, the South Korea-U.S. alliance has grown far beyond the Korean Peninsula and has become a force for good in the Indo-Pacific and worldwide," adding, "The two leaders have built trust in less than a year since President Yoon took office and have already met four times." He further expressed expectations that the two leaders will address topics ranging from the Ukraine war to climate change response.

On the same day, the U.S. Congress, both the Senate and the House of Representatives, introduced a bipartisan resolution welcoming President Yoon's state visit. The resolution, led by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, stated, "We welcome President Yoon's state visit and urge both countries to use this opportunity to expand security, economic, and human exchanges," adding, "The South Korea-U.S. alliance is a key pillar for peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and a critical element for peace in the Indo-Pacific." It further emphasized, "We reaffirm the U.S. commitment to South Korea's extended deterrence and that the U.S. must continue posture and policy aligned with extended deterrence requirements," and "We approve South Korea's expanded participation in the Quad and call for close cooperation for peace on the Korean Peninsula and North Korea's denuclearization."

Meanwhile, President Yoon arrived in Washington D.C. on the same day to begin a five-night, seven-day state visit. On the second day of the trip, the 25th, he will attend an investment signing ceremony, the South Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable, and the South Korea-U.S. Advanced Industry Forum held in Washington D.C. The summit and state dinner with President Biden will take place on the 26th. On the 27th, he is scheduled to deliver a joint address to the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and presenting a blueprint for the future alliance.

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