Future Steps for U.S.-ROK Extended Deterrence Consultations

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin travelled to South Korea last week to shore up U.S. extended deterrence commitments following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s comments about South Korea possibly developing its own nuclear weapons.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin travelled to South Korea last week to shore up U.S. extended deterrence commitments following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s comments about South Korea possibly developing its own nuclear weapons. The trip marked some forward progress, but there is more that can and should be done. Specifically, to maintain momentum following Secretary Austin’s trip, the administration should do the following: develop a multiyear plan for integrating more tabletop exercises (TTX) and scenario-based discussions into consultations, conduct a classification review, develop a joint crisis management playbook, and better prepare for future proliferation scenarios.

Kelsey Hartigan is deputy director of the Project on Nuclear Issues and senior fellow with the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C.

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