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Rotational deployment of U.S. strategic weapons equal to tactical nuke deployment

Rotational deployment of U.S. strategic weapons equal to tactical nuke deployment

Posted October. 21, 2016 07:10,   

Updated October. 21, 2016 07:20

한국어

South Korea and the United States held the annual Security Consultative Meeting in Washington on Wednesday local time to agree to permanently deploy U.S. strategic assets in, around and over South Korea on a rotational basis. Under the agreement, U.S. nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, B-52 long-distance bombers, B-2 stealth bombers, B-1B Lancer supersonic long-distance bombers under the U.S. Strategic Command will rotate to the peninsula to maintain their readiness postures against North Korea’s nuclear and missile provocations. As the strategic weapons are capable of carrying nuclear weapons, their rotational deployment to the peninsula is expected to have strong deterrence against the North to the same effect as permanent deployment.

The latest agreement appears to be intended to address concerns over security vacuum created by the process of deploying U.S. strategic weapons to the peninsula in the event of a conflict. When the deployment of two B-1B Lancer bombers from Guam was delayed by one day because of unfavorable weather conditions last month, there were questions over prompt U.S. military support in the event of a North Korean provocation under a bad weather. The agreement also put a brake on calls by some South Korean politicians for Seoul’s nuclear armament.

The two allies also agreed at the latest foreign and defense ministers’ meeting to establish an Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG), which is similar to the NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group, allowing Seoul to participate in the discussions over the operation of U.S. strategic weapons. It is positive for Washington to discuss with Seoul when to deploy what types of strategic weapons to South Korea, without making a unilateral decision. As there have limitations to Seoul’s presenting its opinions, it is important that the two allies will ensure close consultations through the new framework for discussions.

North Korea launched the Musudan missiles capable of striking Guam on Thursday, just after the Seoul-Washington security talks, only to fail. However, Pyongyang has been running amok in building up its military might, conducting two nuclear tests and test-launching some 20 missiles this year despite sanctions and pressures by the international community. Seoul and Washington have now left all options open against Kim Jong Un’s irrational behavior. Regarding whether the U.S. will mount nuclear weapons on its strategic assets, maintaining strategic ambiguity would suffice. Kim should realize that his nuclear provocations would only hasten his self-destruction.



한기흥기자 eligius@donga.com