100 Programs of Assistance South Korea high-level visits Washington, the United States and South Korea formulate nuclear strategies, and North Korean high-level officials also arrive in China.
Within the Pentagon, senior U.S. and South Korean leaders are discussing a strategic plan to counter the North Korean nuclear threat. At the same time, a special plane flew from Pyongyang to Beijing, causing speculation from the outside world. The second meeting of the U.S.-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group was recently held at the Pentagon, with more than 60 participants, including senior U.S. and South Korean security, intelligence, and military leaders. Bitar, senior coordinator for intelligence and defense policy at the White House Committee, and Kim Tae-hyo, first chief of South Korea's National Security Office, co-chaired the meeting.
During the talks, the United States and South Korea agreed to develop strategic guidelines to counter the North Korean nuclear threat by 2024. Kim Tae-hyo revealed that the guidelines will cover the sharing of information on nuclear weapons, the consultation process in times of crisis, and the establishment of a security dialogue channel between the two leaders to ensure that the two leaders can communicate quickly in the event of a crisis. In addition, it is planned to establish an extended deterrence system and conduct joint military exercises on nuclear combat by June next year. Given that South Korea does not possess nuclear weapons, the United States will provide South Korea** with specialized training on nuclear strategy.
South Korea is increasingly uneasy in the face of escalating tensions on the peninsula and has therefore strengthened its dependence on the United States at the military level. Especially when it comes to nuclear strategy, South Korea has a clear gap, and its ability to deal with North Korea is almost nil. Recently, South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-ho met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and the two sides overhauled the Customized Deterrence Strategy, emphasizing that the United States and South Korea will take action to end their regime if North Korea uses nuclear weapons. In addition, this month, the United States and South Korea also launched a mechanism for sharing Japan's missile warning information in real time to strengthen cooperation in the military and scientific and technological fields. South Korea's limited capabilities in these areas made it unable to confront North Korea alone, so it sought the support of the United States.
However, the main responsibility for the recent tensions on the Korean Peninsula remains with the United States and South Korea. Since Yoon Suk-yeol came to power, South Korea's foreign policy has gradually become unbalanced, overly close to countries such as the United States and Japan, and obviously neglected relations with other neighboring countries. What is even more worrying is that Yoon Suk-yeol has continuously strengthened cooperation with the United States and Japan in the military field.
Recently, the United States and South Korea have frequently held joint military exercises around the peninsula, which have provoked North Korea and led to an escalation of the situation in the surrounding region. Therefore, the DPRK had to take corresponding measures. In addition, there has been a lack of communication between the two Koreas, and the involvement of the United States has exacerbated the contradictions between the two sides, which eventually turned into the current tense situation.
It is noteworthy that on the same day that the United States and South Korea were developing their nuclear strategies, a special plane also departed from Pyongyang and landed in Beijing. It is reported that recently, DPRK Vice Foreign Minister Pak Myung-ho visited Beijing and held consultations with China's Vice Minister Sun Weidong. During the talks, China and the DPRK decided not only to continue to deepen friendly and cooperative relations, but also to further strengthen strategic communication and coordination.
Indeed, the economy is considered the basis and engine for military development. If North Korea focuses solely on military buildup, this is not sustainable. Considering that China is not only the world's second largest economy, but also a neighbor of North Korea, the strengthening of cooperation between China and North Korea in the economic and ** fields will inject more impetus into North Korea's economic development.
Second, China and North Korea have pledged to strengthen strategic communication and coordination, which means that North Korea needs to be prepared in advance when it faces tensions on the peninsula. China now wields considerable influence in both Asian and international affairs. Maintaining strategic communication with China can help respond to emergencies and give North Korea more confidence in its security.
While North and South Korea each have their own plans, it is imperative to engage in dialogue quickly to reduce differences and misunderstandings and avoid escalation. This is the most effective way to ensure stability and peace in the peninsula region.