US and South Korea reach landmark deal to counter North Korean nuclear threat

The US and South Korea have reached a landmark agreement to address the growing nuclear threat posed by North Korea. The deal, known as the Washington Declaration, will see the periodic deployment of US nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and the involvement of Seoul in US nuclear planning operations. In exchange, South Korea has agreed not to develop its own nuclear weapons.

The new agreement will strengthen the allies’ cooperation in deterring a North Korean attack, according to US President Joe Biden. The two countries will also develop a Nuclear Consultative Group to discuss nuclear planning issues. Despite the agreement, some in South Korea remain concerned about the US commitment to defend the country and have called for their own nuclear program. The US hopes to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons but experts suggest it may be more fruitful to discuss arms control rather than denuclearization.