Security Office: "Early Sharing of North Korean Weapon Information with NATO... Conducting ROK-US Tabletop Exercise"

Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office, is announcing a government statement regarding the signing of the "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" between North Korea and Russia at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 20th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The government has decided to initiate preparatory work to share information related to North Korean weapons with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) at an early stage.

Additionally, to ensure the thorough implementation of the 'ROK-US Combined Operational Plan for Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula,' the government will systematically promote the sharing, consultation, joint planning, and execution of information related to nuclear operations on the Korean Peninsula.

The National Security Office announced on the afternoon of the 15th that it held a security-related inter-agency meeting chaired by Jang Ho-jin, Director of the National Security Office, to discuss these matters.

Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the United States on the occasion of attending the NATO summit, where the 'ROK-US Combined Operational Plan for Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula' was signed, and agreed to expand information sharing with NATO regarding North Korean weapons.

Meeting participants agreed to flawlessly implement follow-up measures between the ROK and the US to ensure that the achievements of this recent trip develop substantively.

First, regarding the 'ROK-US Combined Operational Plan for Nuclear Deterrence on the Korean Peninsula,' the government will conduct necessary exercises through the annual intergovernmental simulation (TTS) held between the ROK and the US, as well as defense and military tabletop exercises (TTX).

Regarding the illegal military and economic cooperation between North Korea and Russia, the government will resolutely respond together with allies and friendly countries in the international community, as reflected in the joint statements from the NATO summit and the Indo-Pacific Partners Forum (IP4) joint statement.

Regarding Russia, the government plans to continue dialogue on the 'Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' signed between North Korea and Russia while reviewing corresponding countermeasures.

Furthermore, procedural and technical preparations for sharing information on North Korean weapons will be coordinated with NATO and the US side to enable early sharing of such information.

Based on bilateral meetings held with leaders of 12 countries and the NATO Secretary-General during the NATO summit, the government will promptly implement agreements with these countries in various fields such as nuclear power, energy, and defense industry, and continue to enhance practical cooperation.

The meeting also discussed follow-up measures related to the Day of North Korean Defectors event held the previous day.

Participants discussed a detailed implementation plan that systematizes related tasks into three areas and ten major tasks. They also agreed to achieve visible results within the year based on the 4th Basic Plan for Supporting the Settlement of North Korean Defectors established in May and the soon-to-be-established '2024 Implementation Plan for Supporting the Settlement of North Korean Defectors.'

Attending the meeting were Director Jang, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong-gyun, Vice Minister of Unification Moon Seung-hyun, Vice Minister of National Defense Kim Sun-ho, Second Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Service Hwang Won-jin, First Deputy Director of the National Security Office Kim Tae-hyo, and Second Deputy Director of the National Security Office In Sung-hwan.