"Nuclear Exercises Are Only Possible Among Possessing Countries"…The Reason Behind Biden's "No" (Summary)

President Yoon Mentions "Korea-US Joint Nuclear Planning and Joint Exercises"
President Biden Responds "No Joint Nuclear Exercises"
Difference in Terms: Joint Exercises vs. Joint Nuclear Exercises

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Confusion is arising as the South Korean and U.S. leaders gave conflicting answers regarding joint exercises in response to the North Korean nuclear threat. President Yoon Suk-yeol mentioned ‘Korea-U.S. Joint Planning and Joint Exercises’ while U.S. President Joe Biden used the term ‘Joint Nuclear Exercises.’

[Image source=Yonhap News] F-35B Stealth Fighter and B-1B Deployed over the Korean Peninsula (Seoul=Yonhap News) In response to North Korea's 6th nuclear test and the launch of the medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM) Hwasong-12, the U.S. F-35B stealth fighter, B-1B strategic bomber, and South Korean Air Force F-15K fighter conducted a simulated bombing exercise over the Korean Peninsula on the morning of the 18th. 2017.9.18 [Provided by the Air Force=Yonhap News] photo@yna.co.kr (End)

According to diplomatic and security officials on the 3rd, President Yoon recently stated in an interview with Chosun Ilbo, "We are discussing the concept of joint planning and joint exercises on nuclear matters with the U.S. for effective extended deterrence, and the U.S. is quite positive about it." However, when President Biden was asked by reporters on his way into the White House in Washington D.C. after his vacation whether they are currently discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea, he replied, "No."

Joint planning and joint exercises regarding nuclear weapons differ from nuclear war exercises. Joint planning means reflecting South Korea’s position in the U.S.’s nuclear policy, strategy, operational plans, and rapid deterrence and response measures. Based on this, the U.S. conducts exercises deploying nuclear strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula, which constitutes the joint exercises.

The South Korea-U.S. defense authorities agreed at the 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) held last November to hold an annual extended deterrence means operation exercise (DSC TTX) assuming North Korea’s nuclear use scenarios in response to changes in North Korea’s nuclear strategy and capabilities.

On the other hand, nuclear war exercises are terms possible only among nuclear-armed countries. Since South Korea does not possess nuclear weapons, it is impossible to conduct nuclear war exercises with the U.S. President Biden is expected to give a negative answer in this context.

Kim Eun-hye, the presidential office’s chief spokesperson, also said on the 3rd, "President Biden’s remarks were straightforwardly asked whether they are discussing ‘nuclear war exercises,’ so naturally he had to answer ‘No.’ The two countries are discussing information sharing, joint planning, and corresponding joint execution plans regarding the operation of U.S. nuclear force assets to respond to North Korea’s nuclear threat."

Defense Ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-gyu also said at a regular briefing that when asked if the U.S. denied President Yoon’s related remarks, "At the Korea-U.S. Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) last November, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in extended deterrence by sharing information, establishing consultation systems, joint planning, and joint execution to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats."

Spokesperson Jeon added regarding the ‘detailed plans for joint planning and joint execution of nuclear force operations,’ "The two sides are discussing various options, but it is not appropriate to disclose detailed plans, and we will explain when it is possible to reveal specifics."

Accordingly, the Korea-U.S. alliance is expected to start various combined exercises as early as the first half of the year. Shin Beom-chul, Vice Minister of Defense, said the day before that Korea-U.S. joint nuclear planning and joint exercises are a higher-level concept of deploying U.S. strategic assets, stating, "It is about upgrading the overall planning and practical exercises on how the two countries will respond in specific situations where North Korea uses nuclear weapons under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration," and "Such exercises will take place at some point."

The exercises currently under discussion include ‘SNOWCAT,’ where U.S. nuclear delivery strategic bombers B-2 or B-52 operations are supported by allied fighter jets. Among the three pillars of U.S. nuclear forces, joint exercises involving strategic bombers are considered the most effective way to send a deterrence message. The deployment of a U.S. B-52 strategic bomber near the Korean Peninsula escorted by the South Korean Air Force for combined exercises on the 20th of last month also falls broadly under SNOWCAT.

Joint exercise plans for nuclear delivery means are also becoming possible. In the past, after North Korea’s provocations heightened tensions in Northeast Asia, the U.S. sent B-52 bombers to conduct exercises dropping simulated warheads at the Jikdo firing range. This is a NATO-level show of force.

A military official predicted, "Korea-U.S. joint nuclear planning and exercises will strengthen deterrence against North Korea and enhance trust in extended deterrence guarantees for South Korea."