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Home News North America United States of America Military Asia

U.S.-South Korea Bolster Nuclear Deterrence Alliance

Third Nuclear Consultative Group Meeting Strengthens Cooperation Against North Korean Threats.

Ivan Golden by Ivan Golden
1 year ago
in Asia
Reading Time: 4 mins read
A A
South Korean Hyunmoo-3 missile carriers. Photo by Teukwonjae707. Wikimedia.

South Korean Hyunmoo-3 missile carriers. Photo by Teukwonjae707. Wikimedia.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Key Points:
    • South Korea’s Offensive Military Strategy
  • U.S. Extended Deterrence and Support
    • Preparing for Contingencies
  • Risks and Challenges
    • Final Thoughts

In a major development aimed at reinforcing deterrence against North Korean threats, the United States and South Korea convened their third Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting on June 10, 2024. The high-level talks resulted in enhanced coordination and planning for an integrated nuclear response capability on the Korean Peninsula.

“Across the board, we’re making progress in the Nuclear Consultative Group,”

remarked Richard C. Johnson, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Policy.

 

Key Points:

  • Signed shared guidelines establishing principles for U.S.-South Korea nuclear deterrence policy
  • Discussed integrating South Korea’s conventional forces with U.S. nuclear operations
  • Agreed to conduct tabletop exercises simulating joint responses to nuclear attacks
  • U.S. reaffirmed commitment by visible presence of strategic nuclear assets

 

South Korea’s Offensive Military Strategy

South Korea has adopted an increasingly offensive defense posture aimed at enhancing deterrence against North Korea. This “three-axis system” includes preemptive strike capabilities, missile defenses, and plans for “massive retaliation” targeting the North Korean leadership if attacked.

Notably, the Korean Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) strategy involves precision strikes to potentially eliminate Kim Jong-un and the regime’s top brass. While intended to signal resolve, experts warn such threats to regime survival could desperately provoke North Korea to use nuclear weapons preemptively.

 

Visualization of South Korea's Three-Axis Military Strategy. Photo by THX News.
Visualization of South Korea’s Three-Axis Military Strategy. Artwork by THX News.

 

U.S. Extended Deterrence and Support

To bolster this approach, the U.S. has reaffirmed its “unwavering commitment” to provide extended nuclear deterrence for South Korea. The newly established NCG framework allows closer coordination on nuclear policy, planning, and operations.

“These guidelines really serve as the principles and procedures upon which the alliance will approach nuclear deterrence issues,”

Johnson explained regarding the NCG’s new shared principles signed at this meeting.

A key focus is the integration of South Korea’s rapidly improving conventional capabilities with U.S. nuclear forces and operations.

“Integration of South Korea’s conventional capabilities with U.S. nuclear operations substantively strengthens allied deterrence and response capabilities against the North Korea threat,”

the NCG statement said.

Furthermore, the U.S. has bolstered visible commitments like last July’s historic port visit to Busan by the nuclear ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky – the first in over 40 years.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had this high of collaboration and trust on extended deterrence with the U.S. and South Korea,” Johnson remarked.

 

Preparing for Contingencies

However, effective nuclear deterrence requires continual planning, exercises and streamlined decision-making. To that end, the NCG agreed to a series of tabletop exercises (TTXs) over the next year to simulate joint operations.

These will include an inter-agency policy simulation, an NCG-led command exercise, and significantly, a dedicated military TTX between U.S. and South Korean forces. “The best way to understand how to operate in this complex world is to practice,” Johnson stated.

 

Korean War Commemoration Rucksack March - U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea. Photo by USAG-Humphreys. Flickr.
Korean War Commemoration Rucksack March – U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys, South Korea. Photo by USAG-Humphreys. Flickr.

 

Risks and Challenges

While the U.S.-South Korea nuclear deterrence cooperation has reached new heights, it is not without risks. Some nonproliferation experts question the legality and proportionality of South Korea’s “massive retaliation” strategy under the nuclear prohibitions.

There are also concerns about the potential for uncontrolled escalation on the peninsula from overt efforts to threaten the Kim regime’s survival. China remains opposed to the potential deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons in South Korea, citing impacts to regional stability.

 

Final Thoughts

As the peninsula remains locked in a tense standoff, the U.S. and South Korea are intensifying nuclear planning and deterrence measures through the NCG framework. While enhancing preparation for worst-case scenarios, both allies must carefully manage escalation risks.

Continuing diplomacy to provide North Korea an offramp from its nuclear pursuits, backed by credible deterrence capabilities, remains crucial.

 

Sources: THX News, CSIS, US Embassy ROK, VOA News & US Department of Defense.

Ivan Golden

Ivan Golden

Ivan Golden founded THX News™ with the goal of restoring trust in journalism. As CEO and an investigative journalist, he leads the organization's efforts to deliver unbiased, fact-checked reporting to readers worldwide. He is committed to uncovering the truth and providing context to the stories that shape our world. Read his insightful articles on THX News.

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