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On July 11, on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Washington, South Korea and the United States signed the “Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Activities on the Korean Peninsula.”
In a press release, the South Korean Ministry of National Defense said the guidelines provide principles and procedures to support the alliance’s policies and operations to maintain an effective nuclear deterrent. Both South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and US President Joe Biden stressed that the document provides a “solid” foundation for the allies to enhance extended deterrence cooperation in an integrated manner.
Meanwhile, according to South Korean Deputy National Security Adviser Kim Tae Hyo, the guidelines formalize the deployment of US nuclear assets on and around the Korean Peninsula.
The development of the guidelines is the main task of the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), which was established based on the Washington Declaration adopted by the US and South Korean presidents at their April 2023 White House summit to strengthen extended deterrence. The declaration includes a series of deterrent measures, including a US commitment to increase the “permanent presence” of strategic military assets on the Korean Peninsula.
Earlier in the day, President Biden also held talks with his counterpart Yoon Suk Yeol. During the meeting, the two leaders reaffirmed close coordination against nuclear threats and adopted the "Guidelines for Nuclear Deterrence and Nuclear Operations on the Korean Peninsula."
