The “Washington Declaration” outlines new steps for the two countries to engage in deeper dialogue and information-sharing efforts and establishes a nuclear consultative group to strengthen nuclear deterrence efforts on the Korean Peninsula.
The US will enhance the visibility of its strategic assets in the region, including an upcoming visit of a nuclear-armed ballistic submarine to South Korea.
During a joint news conference at the White House, Biden called the declaration a “prudent step” toward deterrence in response to North Korea’s advancing nuclear threat.
He added that the two countries also seek “serious and substantial diplomatic breakthroughs” with North Korea to bolster stability on the Korean Peninsula.
Yoon’s official state visit to Washington marks the 70th anniversary of the US-South Korean alliance, which has existed since the Korean War of 1950-1953. More than 28,000 US service members serve on the peninsula alongside South Korean allies.
“Mr President, ours is a future filled with unimaginable opportunity and endless possibility,” Biden told his South Korean counterpart during the arrival ceremony. “Nothing, nothing is beyond our ability to reach when our nations stand united. We have proven that time and again over the last 70 years.”
South Korea and the US regularly perform drills with each other, with the most recent of them coming last month in an 11-day air-drill exercise above the Korean Peninsula.
As part of this training activity, the ROK Air Force (ROKAF) deployed its F-15 aircraft and F-16 fighter jets to escort the USAF’s B-52 bomber while entering the Korean air defence identification zone.
The US has a strong relationship with both South Korea and Japan. These relationships were founded in the 20th century when the US looked to form a strong band of states against communism in the Pacific region, according to GlobalData’s “US Defense Market 2022-2027” report.
The declaration claims. “Our Alliance has been tested many times, and in every instance, we have risen to the occasion and responded to the changing threats on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific.”
The joint declaration represents a significant step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the US-South Korean defence alliance and deter potential aggression from North Korea.
With tensions on the Korean Peninsula remaining high, the US and South Korea will continue to work closely together to ensure the safety and security of the region.
