Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.
US extended deterrence to remain strong under Trump: Seoul official
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives at UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden, New York, Saturday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap
By Lee Hyo-jin
American strategic assets sent to Korean Peninsula more than 30 times since Yoon's inauguration
South Korea expects the United States to maintain its commitment to extended deterrence under the incoming Donald Trump administration despite growing concerns that Washington may adopt a budget-conscious approach to defense cost-sharing and the deployment of U.S. strategic military assets.
"We are thoroughly preparing for potential changes in various policies related to the South Korea-U.S. alliance under the new U.S. administration," a senior defense ministry official said Monday during a closed-door briefing.
"Fundamentally, we hold the position that the U.S. commitment to extended deterrence will remain unwavering, regardless of any changes in the U.S. administration. We are working closely with the U.S. side to ensure the continuity of these commitments," the official added.
According to the defense ministry, U.S. strategic assets have been deployed to South Korea more than 30 times since President Yoon Suk Yeol took office in May 2022. This marks a significant increase compared to zero deployments during the period from January 2018 until Yoon's inauguration, the ministry noted.
The uptick followed the Washington Declaration, signed in April 2023 by Yoon and U.S. President Joe Biden, in which the American leader pledged to increase the regular visibility of strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula. These assets include nuclear-powered submarines, nuclear-capable bombers and aircraft carriers.
However, Trump's reelection has stoked concerns that the new U.S. leader might be reluctant to continue such commitments. Some critics view that he may demand increased payments for the deployments of strategic assets.
During the same briefing, Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho hailed the establishment of the Seoul-Washington Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) as a major achievement of the Yoon administration. The NCG is a consultative body designed to discuss the enhancement of U.S. extended deterrence through joint nuclear planning to counter North Korean nuclear threats.
The briefing, held to mark the halfway point of the incumbent administration, underscored efforts to maintain "overwhelming deterrence" against North Korean threats, emphasizing the principle of peace through strength.
Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho speaks during a press briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of the Ministry of National Defense
Kim also highlighted the government's decision to suspend a military agreement with North Korea as a pivotal move in normalizing military operations and training in frontline areas.
The 2018 pact, signed under former President Moon Jae-in when inter-Korean relations were more amicable, sought to reduce tensions by banning hostile acts within a buffer zone spanning 135 kilometers over the West Sea and 80 kilometers into the East Sea.
The suspension of the agreement, announced in June, came in response to a series of trash-balloon launches by North Korea that started in May.
"The suspension of the inter-Korean military agreement is, in fact, the most significant shift among the various measures taken by the current administration to enhance military readiness," Kim said.
He pointed out that the agreement had hindered the military's surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and restricted realistic training in operational areas.
Kim also addressed ongoing provocations along the inter-Korean border, including a tit-for-tat "noise battle."
Following the suspension of the military pact, South Korea resumed loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts aimed at the North in June. In response, North Korea has been blasting disruptive sounds described as high-pitched and resembling scraping metal toward the South.
These sounds, which also include sirens and drumbeats, have persisted day and night since late July, causing significant distress to South Korean residents in border areas like Ganghwa County.
"We are aware of the suffering of residents experiencing secondary impact from the noise. We are currently implementing measures in collaboration with local governments to minimize these effects and are reviewing corresponding military responses to address these provocations," the vice minister said.