US "Han-Mi, Coordinated Response to North Korea's Nuclear Threat" Biden Statement Clarification

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The U.S. administration announced on the 3rd (local time) that it is "coordinating with South Korea to respond to various scenarios, including North Korea's use of nuclear weapons." This statement reiterated the joint efforts of the U.S. and South Korea to respond to North Korea's nuclear threat, aiming to defuse controversy caused by President Joe Biden's negative remarks about 'joint nuclear exercises.'

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a briefing that day, "I want to be very clear. We (the U.S. and South Korea) are not discussing joint nuclear exercises. South Korea is a non-nuclear weapon state."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

She explained, "However, President Biden and President Yoon Suk-yeol met in Cambodia last November and instructed their teams to develop effective and coordinated response plans for various scenarios, including North Korea's use of nuclear weapons. That is what those teams are working on, as President Yoon clearly mentioned in an interview with the media the day before." She added, "The U.S. is fully committed to the alliance with South Korea while providing extended deterrence through all defense capabilities."

This statement came in response to a question asking what exactly President Biden's remarks the previous day meant. When asked whether he would discuss joint nuclear exercises with South Korea upon returning from vacation, President Biden answered "No," which sparked controversy over whether he was outright denying President Yoon's remarks. President Yoon had stated in an interview with domestic media on the same day, "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."

State Department spokesperson Ned Price also emphasized at a briefing that day, "We have committed extended deterrence to our allies, including South Korea, involving all U.S. defense assets," and "The two leaders discussed this at the Cambodia summit." He continued, "The two presidents instructed planning for effective joint responses to scenarios including North Korea's use of nuclear weapons," adding, "We take extended deterrence very seriously and will continue related discussions."

When asked if there is a difference in perception between the U.S. and South Korea regarding joint nuclear exercises, he replied, "Ask the South Korean government about South Korea's view," but explained, "We are exactly aligned regarding extended deterrence." He also emphasized, "Our commitment to the defense of South Korea and Japan is central to bilateral and trilateral dialogues."