South Korea and the U.S. Complete Review of Joint Guidelines for Responding to North Korean Nuclear Attacks

Bilateral Signature Procedures Pending Completion

South Korea and the United States have virtually completed the drafting of a 'Joint Guideline' containing guidelines for integrated responses using South Korea's conventional forces and the U.S. nuclear forces in the event of a nuclear attack by North Korea.

On the 10th, following the 3rd Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting co-chaired by Cho Chang-rae, Director of Defense Policy at South Korea's Ministry of National Defense, and Biffin Narang, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy of the U.S. Department of Defense, held at the Ministry of National Defense building in Yongsan, Seoul, a joint press statement was released stating, "The NCG has completed the review of the 'Joint Guideline Document,' which provides the alliance's principles and procedures to maintain and strengthen a credible and effective nuclear deterrence policy and posture."

It added, "Both sides agreed that this joint guideline will establish a solid foundation to enhance the integrated extended deterrence cooperation between South Korea and the United States." The joint guideline reviewed by the NCG is pending the signature procedures of both countries.

US-ROK Hold 3rd Nuclear Consultative Group Meeting
(Seoul=Yonhap News) On the 10th, Cho Chang-rae, Director of Defense Policy at the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Korea (left), and Bipan Narang, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy at the US Department of Defense (right), co-chaired the 3rd US-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting held in Seoul, shaking hands. [Provided by the Ministry of National Defense, resale and DB prohibited] 2024.6.10

The joint guideline document is known to contain comprehensive guidelines on preventing North Korea's nuclear attacks in advance and how to respond if a nuclear attack occurs.

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Narang stated at the joint South Korea-U.S. press conference, "The joint guideline specifies principles on how policy and military authorities can jointly maintain a reliable and effective nuclear deterrence policy and posture in response to the gradually changing security environment."

He continued, "It addresses consultation principles and procedures during a North Korean nuclear crisis and provides important insights for the operational concepts and exercises of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Based on the joint guideline document, South Korea and the United States will deepen cooperation and coordination regarding combined concepts, exercises, and activities."