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