South Korea-US 'Washington Declaration'... Nuclear Submarines to be Permanently Deployed on the Korean Peninsula

Through Deployment on the Korean Peninsula for North Korea Nuclear Response, Extended Deterrence Becomes Visible
South Korea Decides Against Redeploying Nuclear Weapons or Developing Its Own Nuclear Arms

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the United States, and U.S. President Joe Biden have agreed to adopt and announce the "Washington Declaration," which includes strengthening extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threat, during the Korea-U.S. summit. The declaration includes a plan to more frequently deploy U.S. strategic assets capable of launching nuclear weapons, such as strategic nuclear submarines (SSBNs), to the Korean Peninsula to enhance the effectiveness of extended deterrence against North Korea's nuclear threat. In return, South Korea plans to reaffirm its non-proliferation commitment by pledging not to develop its own nuclear weapons in accordance with the guidelines of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

A senior U.S. White House official said during a phone briefing on the 26th (local time) that the Washington Declaration containing these details is scheduled to be announced at the Korea-U.S. summit held that day.

The Washington Declaration also includes measures to further visualize deterrence through the regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets, including visits by nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to South Korea. The idea is that if North Korea provokes, U.S. strategic assets can enter South Korea to respond. Another senior official explained the symbolism of SSBN visits to South Korea, noting that such visits have not occurred since the early 1980s. The official stated, "We will enhance the Korea-U.S. alliance’s approach to deterring and defending against North Korean threats by strengthening combined training, exercises, and simulation activities. This includes better integrating South Korea’s conventional assets into our strategic planning."

The US nuclear submarine 'Springfield' docked at the Busan operational base last February. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In this context, Korea and the U.S. will also establish the Korea-U.S. "Nuclear Consultative Group," a regular bilateral consultation mechanism focused on nuclear and strategic planning issues.

However, the Washington Declaration is also expected to include a commitment by South Korea to maintain denuclearization by not redeploying U.S. nuclear weapons or developing independent nuclear weapons. A senior official said, "One of the greatest achievements of U.S. foreign policy is that several countries in the Indo-Pacific region with advanced capabilities have chosen not to develop nuclear weapons, relying on the U.S. commitment to maintaining peace and stability. We believe such efforts must be maintained despite challenges from North Korea and other countries." Another official stated bluntly, "There is no vision to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons or other types of nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula as during the Cold War."

Regarding the permanent deployment and stationing of strategic assets, the official said, "The more frequent visits and deployments of strategic assets, including SSBN visits to South Korea, clearly demonstrate the strength of our extended deterrence. However, this does not mean the permanent deployment or stationing of additional assets. And under this framework, there are no nuclear assets."

[Image source=Yonhap News]