US and South Korea reach important nuclear arms agreement

To confront the nuclear threat from North Korea, the US and South Korea have struck a historic agreement.

Washington has consented to send US nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea on a regular basis and to include Seoul in nuclear planning activities.

South Korea has committed to refrain from creating its own nuclear weapons in exchange.

According to US President Joe Biden, the Washington Declaration will improve the allies' cooperation in preventing a North Korean assault.

Concern over North Korea's nuclear danger has grown on both sides of the conflict. Pyongyang is perfecting its long-range weapons, which can reach the US mainland, and creating tactical nuclear weapons that can hit South Korea.

The US has already agreed to defend South Korea under international law, and it has also promised to deploy nuclear weapons if necessary. However, some South Koreans have begun to question that dedication and advocate for the nation to continue its own nuclear development.

The Washington Declaration, according to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, who was in Washington on a state visit, represented a "unprecedented" commitment by the US to strengthen defense, fend off threats, and defend its allies by using nuclear weapons.

A senior administration official claims that the new deal is the outcome of discussions that lasted for several months.

What drives South Koreans to want nuclear weapons

In accordance with the new agreement, the US will increase the visibility of its defense obligations by sending to South Korea for the first time in 40 years a nuclear-armed submarine along with other strategic weapons, such as nuclear-capable bombers.

In order to talk about nuclear planning issues, the two parties will also create a Nuclear Consultative Group.

The planning for how and when to deploy nuclear weapons against North Korea has long been a point of contention between Seoul's politicians and Washington.

South Koreans are fearful of being kept in the dark about what would cause Mr. Biden to detonate a nuclear weapon on their behalf as North Korea's nuclear arsenal has expanded in size and capability.

a worry that Washington may stop The events in Seoul have prompted demands that South Korea produce its own nuclear weapons.

But in January, Mr. Yoon shocked Washington leaders when he became the first South Korean president in decades to bring up this concept again.

The US quickly realized that encouraging words and actions would no longer be effective, and that in order to stop South Korea from wishing to make its own bombs, it would have to make an actual offer.

Furthermore, Mr. Yoon had stated that he anticipated making "tangible" progress before returning home.

A "big win" for South Korea, according to Duyeon Kim of the Centre for a New American Security, is that country's participation in nuclear preparation.

Tabletop drills used to end before Washington decided to deploy nuclear weapons, according to Ms. Kim.

"The US had deemed such information to be too classified to share, but given the kinds of nuclear weapons North Korea is producing, it is important to practice and train for this scenario."

The South Korean government has been calling for more involvement, and this new Nuclear Consultative Group checks the box. But the more important query is whether it will allay public concerns.

It does not represent a complete US commitment to using nuclear weapons to defend South Korea from an attack by North Korea.

On the other hand, Mr. Biden stated on Wednesday that "a nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action."

As payment, the US has required that South Korea continue to be a nuclear-free zone and a staunch opponent of the spread of nuclear weapons. The US believes that stopping South Korea from developing nuclear weapons is crucial because it worries that if it fails, other nations may do the same.

However, it is unclear that these US assurances will completely appease the important and increasingly vocal group of professors, scientists, and members of the ruling party in South Korea who have been advocating for Seoul to arm itself.

Although the declaration had many positive aspects, Dr. Cheong Seong-chang, a leading proponent of South Korea going nuclear, said that it was "extremely regrettable that South Korea had openly given up its right to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty [NPT]," adding that this had "further strengthened our nuclear shackles."

President Biden stated that the US was making ongoing efforts to re-engage North Korea in negotiations. Washington claims that Pyongyang has rejected multiple requests for unconditional talks.

While the US tries to persuade North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, Kim Jong Un, the country's leader, declared the country's nuclear status to be "irreversible" last year.

Some experts claim that discussing weapons control rather than denuclearization now makes more sense.