Third Meeting of Nuclear Consultative Group Enhances U.S., South Korea Alliance, Deterrenc

U.S. and South Korean officers at present convened the third assembly of the Nuclear Consultative Group, the place amongst different issues, members deliberate higher cooperation between the 2 nations and enhanced nuclear deterrence on the Korean Peninsula. 

“Throughout the board, we’re making progress within the Nuclear Consultative Group,” mentioned Richard C. Johnson, deputy assistant secretary of protection for nuclear and countering weapons of mass destruction coverage. “Simply the institution of that group, I feel, was essential to display how we’re elevating the dialogue that we’re having on nuclear deterrence points, however the work that we’re doing is basically key. Whether or not that is from info sharing to joint planning and execution.”

Johnson spoke at present on the Middle for Strategic and Worldwide Research in Washington. 

At this assembly of the NCG, Johnson mentioned, a “massive end result” was the signing out of a set of shared pointers for the U.S. and South Korean alliance. 

“These pointers actually function sort of the rules and procedures upon which the alliance will serve to actually have a look at nuclear deterrence points when it comes to coverage and posture,” Johnson mentioned. “It will actually be the muse upon which we transfer ahead within the NCG on U.S./[South Korea] cooperation.”

In response to an announcement launched at present by the NCG, the rules present rules and procedures for the U.S./South Korea alliance to take care of and strengthen a reputable and efficient nuclear deterrence coverage and posture. 

A key focus of this most up-to-date assembly of the NCG, Johnson mentioned, was planning and execution associated to traditional nuclear integration, or CNI. 

The NCG is involved in making certain that, within the occasion of a nuclear disaster on the Korean peninsula, U.S nuclear capabilities are successfully built-in with Korea’s personal standard capabilities. “[South Korea] … is basically advancing its standard capabilities,” he mentioned. “And I feel we’re making actual progress there.” 

The NCG assertion at present mentioned members within the assembly mentioned the planning and execution of U.S/South Korea CNI choices on the Korean Peninsula. The group reaffirmed that integration of South Korea’s standard capabilities with U.S. nuclear operations “substantively strengthens the allied deterrence and response capabilities in opposition to the [North Korea] nuclear and missile menace.” 

Additionally on the agenda, Johnson mentioned, was a give attention to elevated tabletop workouts in order that the U.S. and South Korea can follow the combination and deterrence the NCG seeks. 

“One of the simplest ways to know tips on how to function on this … world is to follow,” he mentioned. “We’re doing an increasing number of of what we name tabletop workouts, or TTXs. And we have now not less than, I imagine, three developing over the course of the following 12 months, together with a military-to-military train.” 

Throughout at present’s assembly, NCG members agreed to an interagency simulation, an NCG-led TTX and a military-to-military TTX. 

A giant a part of deterrence efforts, Johnson mentioned, additionally contains enhanced visibility of U.S. dedication to the alliance by means of the visibility of American strategic deterrent property. In July 2023, as an illustration, the usKentucky, a nuclear ballistic missile submarine, visited the South Korean port of Busan. It was the primary time in over 40 years such a go to occurred. 

“I feel we’re in an excellent place,” Johnson mentioned. “I do not assume we have ever had this excessive of a stage of collaboration, dedication and belief on prolonged deterrence than we have ever had with the USA and the Republic of Korea.” 

The NCG was created to implement what was agreed to within the April 2023 Washington Settlement. In that settlement, the U.S. reaffirmed its dedication to South Korea and the Korean individuals and likewise agreed that any nuclear assault by North Korea in opposition to South Korea “might be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response.”