WASHINGTON DECLARATION

1. Context

2. Washington Declaration

• The agreement outlines cooperation toward deterrence. 
• According to the declaration, an American nuclear ballistic submarine would be deployed in the Korean peninsula; a nuclear consultative group would be formed to formulate principles of joint response tactics.
• South Korea would receive Intel from the U.S. regarding nuclear advancements, and the U.S. will strengthen South Korea’s nuclear deterrence capabilities through joint military training programs and an annual intergovernmental simulation.
• The declaration reaffirmed the non­proliferation Treaty implying that South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities and would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance ­based approach.
• It also mandates the U.S. President as the only ‘sole authority’ to use the nuclear arsenal of the U.S. in the event of a nuclear confrontation.
• While the existence of the agreement is based on the security needs of South Korea, the policy reflects big power politics where the interests of the larger power (U.S.) take precedence. 

3. Reasons behind the South Korean President's Visit to the U.S.

• The successful launch of North Korea's Hwasong8 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), a vital component for nuclear weapons delivery, seems to have triggered the U.S. visit of the South Korean President.
• Mr. Yoon aimed to advance the strategic partnership, drawing an alliance over an extended nuclear deterrence plan against the regional aggression of North Korea.
• The Washington agreement will launch a new phase in the partnership between Seoul and Washington.

4. Why is the U.S. not keen on S.Korea having a nuclear arsenal?

• South Korea’s nuclear development program supported by former president Park Chung Hee was hindered due to U.S. pressure.
• In the 1990s, the U.S. withdrew one hundred nuclear weapons from South Korea as part of their “Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty”.
• The U.S. was hoping to make North Korea unarm itself. Washington made an erroneous assumption that it could deter the weapons production of North Korea by extracting South Korea’s nuclear capacity.
• Secondly, the Nuclear Posture Review 2022 reflects a shift in the U.S. narrative where it is now concerned about the progressing nuclear capacities of North Korea.
• The report states that North Korea creates deterrence dilemmas for the United States and its Allies and partners and that a crisis or conflict on the Korean Peninsula could involve a number of nuclear­armed actors, raising the risk of a broader conflict.
• Finally, the U.S. wants to control global nuclear arms production. It has been reluctant to allow South Korea to develop its own nuclear arsenal as it would hinder the prolonged efforts of controlling nuclear production in the world.
• The assurance that the U.S. and its nuclear weapons would protect its allies by being responsible for maintaining stability in the region aligns with the larger goal of nonproliferation.
• Washington plays a major influence in South Korea's foreign policy objectives, and Seoul would rather not disappoint the U.S. as they are a vital supporter of their cause.

5. What has been the regional response?

• The Washington Declaration advocates for nuclear deterrence policy in the region, aiming to balance power dynamics against North Korea.
• While the aim is to defuse the threat, physical deployment of the arsenal can be deemed as a direct threat by opposing actors and used as leverage to act aggressively.

6. What is the domestic response?

• The South Korean Public is skeptical about U.S. support. A poll by the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations reported that 71% of South Koreans want to build their own nuclear weapons.
• With an aggressive North Korea in the neighborhood, they would prefer their own deterrence.