Washington Declaration

May 5, 2023

Context:

The “Washington Declaration” as a nuclear deterrence strategy was signed in a recent visit of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to the U.S. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of U.S.-South Korea bilateral relations.

About Washington Declaration:

It outlines cooperation towards deterrence.
According to the declaration,
- an American nuclear ballistic submarine would be deployed in the Korean peninsula
- a nuclear consultative group would be formed to formulate principles of joint response tactics
- South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S. regarding nuclear advancements
- the U.S. will strengthen South Korea’s nuclear deterrence capabilities through joint military training programs.

The declaration reaffirmed the non-proliferation treaty implying that South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities and would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.
It also mandates the U.S. President as the only ‘sole authority’ to use the nuclear arsenal of the U.S. in the event of a nuclear confrontation.

What prompted the U.S. visit?

The successful launch of North Korea’s Hwasong 8 solid fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a vital component for nuclear weapons delivery, seems to have triggered the U.S. visit.
Mr.Yoon aimed to advance the strategic partnership, drawing an alliance over an extended nuclear deterrence plan against the regional aggression of North Korea.

What is Extended nuclear deterrence?

During the Cold War, the US provided for the security of its allies by threatening a nuclear response in the event of an attack on them by the Soviet Union.
American allies in the Indo-Pacific are still covered by a nuclear umbrella in the changed security scenario of the post-Soviet world order.
Japan and South Korea are the two allies that come under the declared extended deterrence policy of the United States.

News Source: The Hindu