US: "Korea is not a nuclear power and has no plans for joint nuclear exercises"

Biden Administration "Strengthening Information Sharing, Expanding Emergency Plans, and Reviewing Drills"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The U.S. administration stated on the 2nd (local time) that it is not planning joint nuclear exercises with South Korea because South Korea is not a nuclear-armed state.

According to major foreign media on the same day, a senior official of the Biden administration said, "North Korea is making increasingly threatening remarks. The U.S. and South Korea are committed to joint efforts to deter North Korea."

He added, "The U.S. and South Korea are strengthening information sharing, expanding contingency plans, and ultimately reviewing simulated exercises."

This statement is an additional explanation regarding President Joe Biden's mention that he is not currently discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea. Earlier, upon returning from vacation and entering the White House in Washington D.C., President Biden briefly answered "No" when asked if he was discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea.

The question to President Biden appears to be related to an interview with President Yoon Suk-yeol reported by domestic media on the same day. In the interview, President Yoon said, "We are discussing joint planning and joint exercise concepts with the U.S. regarding nuclear weapons for effective extended deterrence, and the U.S. is quite positive about it."

However, President Biden did not provide any further explanation beyond the "No" response. Therefore, there is analysis that it is unclear what specific nuclear exercises he was referring to.

Joint Planning and Joint Exercises for nuclear force operations were also agreed upon at the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held in the U.S. last November, attended by the defense ministers of both countries. Joint Planning means South Korea's participation in U.S. nuclear policy, strategy, operational plans, and rapid deterrence and response measures. Joint Exercises refer to practical training scenarios in which the U.S. nuclear delivery strategic assets are supported by the ally with conventional means.