South Korea, U.S. to incorporate nuclear operations in joint exercises

Nuclear operations will be incorporated into joint exercises starting as early as next year, potentially beginning with the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), an 11-day joint combined and interagency exercise scheduled for August.

The South Korean security advisor Kim Tae-hyo, second from left, with the U.S. Nuclear Consultative Group lead by Maher Bitar, the U.S. National Security Council. (NSC) coordinator, right, in Washington. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Nuclear operations will be incorporated into joint exercises between South Korea and the U.S. starting as early as next year, potentially beginning with the Ulchi Freedom Shield (UFS), an 11-day joint, combined and interagency exercise scheduled for August.

“Previously, the U.S. nuclear umbrella was the United States telling us to relax since they would take care of retaliating in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack,” said Kim Tae-hyo, national security deputy director, during a press briefing in Washington on Friday.

“But now, we are preparing an extended deterrence that is reliable and systemically guaranteed, given that South Korea and the United States are considering, preparing and training together and carrying out our nuclear response together.”

Kim said the two allies continue to refine nuclear and non-nuclear concepts and operations applicable to the Korean Peninsula, adding, "In the future, the deployment of U.S. strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula will not only increase in number but will also be more systematically linked to the ongoing enhancement of extended deterrence, which is being materialized.”

In Washington on Friday, Kim attended the second Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting headed by Maher Bitar, the U.S. National Security Council. (NSC) coordinator for intelligence and defense policy.

Both sides agreed to finalize guidelines for nuclear strategy planning and operations next year.

“It will be an overall guideline on deterring and responding to North Korean nuclear threats,” Kim said.

Additionally, the two sides committed to establishing a hotline between the two presidents to address nuclear threats from North Korea.

Kim outlined the comprehensive nature of the guidelines, covering the sharing of sensitive nuclear-related information, establishing a security system, consultations in response to nuclear threats and real-time communication channels between the two presidents.

Kim highlighted establishing a hotline system designed for immediate communication between the two leaders, facilitating swift decision-making.

“A mobile device for continuous crisis communication has already been provided,” Kim stated. “We are presently strengthening the communication line in preparation for unforeseen situations, such as an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack.”

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]