President Yoon Seok-yeol’s Visit to the United States: Strengthening the ROK-US Alliance

President Yoon Seok-yeol’s visit to the United States, marking the 70th anniversary of the ROK-US alliance, is an opportunity to emphasize the alliance that has ensured peace and prosperity despite decades of change. The fact that over the past 70 years South Korea has transformed itself into a globally influential advanced democracy is truly astonishing.

Today, US political leaders are urging South Korea to take on the role of a “global hub” and participate in a variety of issues, including technology, national defense, and democracy. Rather than resting on the achievements of the past 70 years, they want to turn their eyes to the newly opened horizons.

But there are concerns that must be considered first. Most important is the US nuclear umbrella and South Korea’s reliance on extended deterrence to protect itself. In 2022, Pyongyang will launch a record 95 missiles and change its nuclear doctrine to lower the hurdles for using nuclear weapons. “Complete, verifiable and irreversible” denuclearization seems far away, and the possibility of realistic disarmament is no longer in sight. With Pyongyang continuing to pose shocking threats, even mentioning a preemptive strike against South Korea, it is no surprise that South Korea seeks confidence in the United States’ protection and credibility.

The “Washington Declaration” adopted by the two countries on the 26th, along with President Biden’s candid remarks, will greatly help to reaffirm the security guarantees for the alliance. The two countries established a new Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) to discuss nuclear and strategic planning focused on the North Korean threat and response. It also plans to introduce a new nuclear operation exercise (TTX) for South Korea-US joint planning by helping South Korea understand its nuclear program in the event of an emergency.

A U.S. nuclear-missile submarine visited South Korea for the first time since the 1980s, according to U.S. officials, and the two leaders agreed to meet face-to-face in the event of a major North Korean nuclear attack.

In the declaration, South Korea referred to “total confidence in the US’s extended deterrence commitments,” but the newly established NCG and its process must always be supported by firm political determination. President Biden has been clearer than ever on these points. “North Korea will not tolerate a nuclear attack on the United States, its allies, or its partners, and such action would spell the end of any administration,” Biden said. Pyongyang should seem imprudent even to consider such a catastrophic attack.

No major progress has been made in another area of ​​tension in bilateral relations. The Inflation Control Act (IRA) and the CHIPS and Science Act, which provide tax exemptions, subsidies and various preferential treatment to US high-tech companies, may hurt Korean companies. President Yoon clearly conveyed South Korea’s concerns, which is a reasonable question. But President Biden never publicly addressed the issue or proposed a solution.

“Korea feels its upgraded status, and should expand the G7 and join the G8.” (2)