US may sell military assets to South Korea

By Rachel Lee

U.S. President Donald Trump showed support for South Korea’s plan to acquire “advanced” military assets in his bilateral summit with President Moon Jae-in at New York City Thursday, Cheong Wa Dae said.

The two leaders also reached consensus on expanding U.S. strategic assets in South Korea and surrounding areas to counter threats from North Korea. Moon stressed the need to maintain dominant military power over North Korea, according to Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Soo-hyun.

The presidential office did not provide details on the military assets Seoul wants to acquire from Washington.

But experts say South Korea may seek to secure key technologies needed to develop its major defense systems. The three elements are the Kill Chain pre-emptive strike system, the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) and the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) plan.

The purchase or transfer of core technologies from the U.S. for patriot missiles (PAC-3 MSE) and F-35B stealth fighters could be possible.

Attention is also on Seoul’s move to build nuclear-powered submarines as part of its efforts to better deal with Pyongyang’s submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) threats. The Navy has been working to commission a private institute to conduct a feasibility review for building such a sub.

Experts say acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines from the U.S. will not be easy, but the transfer of some core technologies or purchase of components could be possible. If acquired, at least three ships will be needed, and the cost of construction is estimated to be 2 trillion won, the observers said.

“It is possible that nuclear-powered submarines could be acquired since North Korea’s SLBM threats are real,” said Moon Keun-sik, the director of the Korea Defense and Security Forum. “But for self-reliant defense and industry development, the two-track system will be suitable in this case, which includes acquisition and development of submarines ourselves.”

A Cheong Wa Dae official said nuclear-powered submarines were not mentioned during the summit.

The official said the agreement during the summit was about the principle of strategic asset acquisition. Specific assets and other details are to be discussed due to U.S. internal regulations, the official said.

Moon and Trump strongly condemned North Korea’s recent provocations ― its sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3 and the launch of another ballistic missile over Japan on Sept. 15, the second in less than a month.

The leaders shared the view on the need to put maximum pressure on North Korea to deter its threatening behavior and for denuclearization, the spokesman said.

This was the second Moon-Trump summit since Moon’s inauguration in May.

Following the bilateral summit, Moon, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met over lunch.

The three leaders agreed to raise pressure on North Korea to its highest level.

“The three leaders viewed that North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations threaten peace and security in Northeast Asia and the world, and they cannot accept this,” South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said during a press briefing.

“Under this circumstance, the three leaders shared the view on the need for the international community to put maximum pressure and the strongest sanctions against North Korea so it engages itself in dialogue.”

Based on firm Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation, the three leaders vowed to join forces with Russia and China.

During the meeting, Trump said the U.S. will maintain its firm defense pledge to South Korea and Japan and keep up cooperation in security to counter North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.

Trump introduced his new executive order that targets any individuals or entities that trade in goods and services with North Korea.

Moon and Abe welcomed the measure and expressed their support.

Moon said he believed the U.S.’s unilateral measure through the executive order will have a great impact on achieving the North’s denuclearization.

“I thank President Trump who made a firm step,” Moon said. “I promise that South Korea will make its utmost effort to support the measure.”