Yoon, Biden to sign separate statement on extended deterrence

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

National

Tue, October 3, 2023 | 09:48

Foreign Affairs

Yoon, Biden to sign statement detailing US extended deterrence

Posted : 2023-04-25 12:55

Updated : 2023-04-25 18:07

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a meeting with South Korean nationals at a hotel in Washington, D.C., Monday (local time). Yonhap

President describes his visit as 'innovative and historic landmark' for alliance

By Nam Hyun-woo

WASHINGTON, D.C. ― President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden will sign a special statement during their upcoming summit in Washington, D.C., detailing strengthened U.S. extended deterrence to protect South Korea. Yoon is now on a six-day state visit to the U.S. and the summit will take place on Wednesday (local time).

The special statement, which will be signed in addition to a joint declaration, is expected to contain details about the collaborative planning and joint execution of nuclear weapons.

Senior presidential secretary for public relations Kim Eun-hye told reporters Monday, "Presidents Yoon and Biden will release an additional statement on extended deterrence as part of the summit's outcome, and we expect this to contain advanced measures."

U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan also said Monday that the two presidents will "release a statement that deals with the question of extended deterrence, particularly in the context of the threat and the evolving threat posed by the DPRK." The DPRK stands for North Korea's official name: the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Extended deterrence refers to a U.S. commitment to protect its allies by threatening to choose a nuclear response in the event of an attack on them.

Senior presidential secretary for public relations Kim Eun-hye speaks during a press conference at the South Korean press center in Washington, D.C., Monday (local time). Yonhap

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Although both Kim and Sullivan did not elaborate on what the additional statement will say, it is anticipated to contain details of strengthening the U.S.' extended deterrence commitments, while keeping the obligation of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

"We believe that the statement will send a very clear and demonstrable signal of the United States' credibility when it comes to its extended deterrence commitments to the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the people of Korea," Sullivan said. The ROK is South Korea's official name.

"And we also believe that the ROK has been a good steward of its non-proliferation obligations under the Non-Proliferation Treaty and will continue to do so," he added.

In the wake of progress in the development of North Korea's nuclear weapons program, Yoon has been looking to the U.S. to strengthen the level of extended deterrence, as South Korea is not developing its own nuclear weapons or deploying U.S. nuclear weapons on its soil.

Given this background, political observers believe that South Korea will likely ask to participate in the nuclear planning stage if the South was attacked by North Korean nuclear weapons, with the U.S. launching a counterattack.

So far, the U.S. has been affirming its extended deterrence commitment to South Korea, using the full range of America's defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional and missile defense systems.

However, Seoul has been seeking to elevate that further as Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program continues to progress and the two allies will clearly state that in the additional statement.

Along with the extended deterrence, Sullivan said the two presidents will announce major deliverables on cyber cooperation, climate mitigation and bilateral investments, as well as on strengthening the two countries' people-to-people ties during the summit.

During a meeting with South Korean nationals in Washington D.C., Monday, Yoon said that his visit will be "an innovative and historic landmark" for the alliance between South Korea and the U.S.

"I am visiting the U.S. as a South Korean president and as the first leader of the Indo-Pacific region on a state visit for the first time in 12 years upon the invitation of the Biden administration," Yoon said.

"This highlights the importance that the United States places on the 70th anniversary of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. It also serves as evidence that both countries share universal values of freedom, human rights and the rule of law, and are the best partners in practicing international solidarity based on these values."

Yoon said he will use the state visit as a vehicle for detailed and practical discussions of the two countries' partnerships in advanced technologies, economic security, extended deterrence and people-to-people ties.

namhw@koreatimes.co.kr