The Unites States and South Korea reached a historic agreement to address the nuclear threat posed by North Korea.
US consented to the periodic deployment of American submarines armed with nuclear weapons to South Korea and also decided to involve Seoul in its nuclear planning operations. In exchange, South Korea pledged to refrain from developing its own nuclear weapons. The Washington Declaration, according to US President Joe Biden, will reinforce the alliance's collaboration in deterring a potential attack from North Korea.
Both sides have been increasingly worried about the nuclear danger emanating from North Korea. Pyongyang is in the process of building tactical nuclear weapons that can target South Korea and refining its long-range weapons that have the potential to hit the US mainland. While the US is already bound by a treaty to protect South Korea and has previously vowed to employ nuclear weapons if required, some in South Korea are beginning to question that commitment and are urging their country to pursue an independent nuclear program.
During his state visit to the White House, the South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol stated that the Washington Declaration represents an unparalleled pledge by the US to fortify defense, discourage aggression, and safeguard its allies through the use of nuclear weapons. According to a senior administration official, the new accord was the outcome of discussions that lasted several months.
As per the latest agreement, the US will increase the visibility of its defense commitments by dispatching a submarine armed with nuclear weapons to South Korea for the first time in 40 years, in addition to other strategic assets such as nuclear-capable bombers. Both sides will establish a Nuclear Consultative Group to deliberate on nuclear planning matters. Politicians in Seoul have been advocating for a while for greater involvement in Washington's planning on the employment of nuclear weapons against North Korea.
With North Korea's nuclear arsenal expanding in size and sophistication, South Koreans have become increasingly anxious about being left in the dark regarding the circumstances that would prompt President Biden to employ nuclear weapons on their behalf. Concerns that Washington may abandon Seoul have prompted calls for South Korea to create its own nuclear weapons. However, in January, President Yoon caused alarm among policymakers in Washington when he raised this idea for the first time in decades. It became clear to the US that mere reassuring words and gestures were no longer sufficient, and that it would have to offer tangible incentives to discourage South Korea from pursuing its nuclear program.
Additionally, President Yoon had expressed his expectation of returning home with concrete achievements. Duyeon Kim, from the Centre for a New American Security, remarked that South Korea's involvement in nuclear planning was a significant triumph.
Ms. Kim stated, "Until now, tabletop exercises would conclude before Washington's decision on the use of nuclear weapons. The US had classified such information as too sensitive to disclose but given the types of nuclear weapons North Korea is developing, it is essential to simulate and prepare for such a scenario."
The establishment of the Nuclear Consultative Group meets the demand for greater South Korean involvement in nuclear planning. Nevertheless, the more pressing issue is whether it will assuage the public's concerns.
The agreement does not offer an absolute assurance from the US that it will employ nuclear weapons to defend South Korea in the event of a North Korean attack.
Nonetheless, on Wednesday, President Biden declared, "A nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action."
As a condition of the deal, the US has required South Korea to maintain its status as a non-nuclear state and a staunch proponent of nuclear non-proliferation. The US perceives preventing South Korea from pursuing nuclear weapons as crucial, apprehensive that other nations may follow suit if it fails to do so.
Nonetheless, these commitments from the US are improbable to completely appease the influential and progressively vocal faction of academics, scientists, and members of South Korea's ruling party who have been advocating for arming the country.
According to Dr. Cheong Seong-chang, a prominent advocate of South Korea developing nuclear capabilities, the recent declaration had some favorable elements. However, he expressed disappointment that South Korea publicly renounced its ability to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which only serves to reinforce the country's constraints regarding nuclear arms.
President Biden remarked that the United States is persisting in its endeavors to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table. Despite multiple appeals to talk without any preconditions, Washington claims that Pyongyang has ignored them.
Although the United States aims to persuade North Korea to relinquish its nuclear arsenal, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un proclaimed last year that the nation's nuclear status is "irreversible."
As a result, certain specialists argue that it may be more practical to focus on arms control discussions rather than the complete elimination of nuclear weapons.