Senior South Korean and United States defense officials met in Seoul recently to develop guidelines to coordinate the longtime allies’ response to potential nuclear threats from North Korea.
The guidelines specify the procedures for maintaining and enhancing a “credible and effective” nuclear deterrence policy and posture, according to a joint statement.
The Nuclear Consultative Group meeting came amid signs that North Korea is accelerating development of nuclear arms and delivery systems. Vipin Narang, acting U.S. assistant secretary of defense for space policy, co-chaired the talks and said the guidelines enable the allies to integrate conventional and nuclear capabilities during a crisis.
“The guidelines cover the principles and procedures for consultations, particularly in a [North Korean] nuclear crisis, and inform alliance operational concepts and exercises,” Narang said.
Cho Chang-rae, South Korea’s deputy defense minister for policy, said high-level officials from both countries will conduct a simulated exercise before upcoming regular military drills, with a focus on the possibility of the North Korean regime using a nuclear weapon.
The two Koreas technically remain in a state of war after their 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.
In late May 2024, North Korea’s attempted launch of a military spy satellite failed after a newly developed rocket engine exploded in flight. It was the Kim Jong Un regime’s third failure in four attempts.
South Korea, the U.S. and other Allies and Partners condemned the launch as a violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions banning Pyongyang’s use of ballistic missile technology.
In December 2023, Seoul and Washington warned that any nuclear attack by North Korea would be met with a “swift, overwhelming and decisive response” and result in the end of the Kim regime.
