Washington Declaration

 What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Conflict Between North and South Korea
• News Summary: Washington Declaration
• What prompted the South Korean President to visit the USA?
• What does the Washington Declaration say?
• What is the significance of this agreement?
• Challenges for Washington Declaration

 

Why in news?

• In April 2023, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol arrived in the U.S. to commemorate the 70th anniversary of U.S.-South Korea bilateral relations.
• A highlight of the visit was the signing of the “Washington Declaration” as a nuclear deterrence strategy.

 

Conflict Between North and South Korea

• Since the beginning of the 20th century, Korea had been a part of the Japanese empire, and after World War II it fell to the Americans and the Soviets.
  • In other words, after WW II, USA and USSR were to decide what should be done with their enemy’s (Japan’s) imperial possessions.
• In August 1945, Korean peninsula was divided in half along the 38th parallel. The Russians occupied the area north of the line and the United States occupied the area to its south.
• In 1950, North Korea invaded South Korea, starting the three-year Korean War. As a result, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf.
  • As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself.
• Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end by signing of the armistice agreement in 1953.
• Since the signing of the armistice agreement, North and South Korea have been divided by a 4km wide demilitarised zone stretching 250km.

 

News Summary: Washington Declaration

What prompted the South Korean President to visit the USA?

• Launch of intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by North Korea
  • The successful launch of North Korea’s Hwasong-8 solid-fuel ICBM seems to have triggered the U.S. visit of the South Korean President.
    • ICBM is considered as a vital component for nuclear weapons delivery.
• To create a nuclear deterrence plan against North Korea
  • The South Korean President aimed to advance the strategic partnership, drawing an alliance over an extended nuclear deterrence plan against the regional aggression of North Korea.

 

What does the Washington Declaration say?

• The agreement outlines cooperation towards deterrence
  • As per the agreement:
    • 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.
• It reaffirmed the non-proliferation Treaty
  • South Korea would not venture into the creation of its own independent nuclear capabilities.
  • It would instead focus on deterrence measures through an alliance-based approach.

 

What is the significance of this agreement?

• Advocates for nuclear deterrence policy in the region
  • The Washington Declaration advocates for nuclear deterrence policy in the region, aiming to balance power dynamics against North Korea.
• Prohibits South Korea to develop its own nuclear capabilities
  • The declaration does not allow South Korea to develop their own nuclear arsenal as it would hinder the prolonged efforts of controlling nuclear production in the world.
• Aligns with the larger goal of non-proliferation
  • 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 non-proliferation.

 

Challenges for Washington Declaration

• Physical deployment of the arsenal is a direct threat
  • While the aim is to defuse the threat, physical deployment of the arsenal can be deemed as a direct threat by opposing actors.
  • Security experts fear that it can be used as leverage to act aggressively.
• South Koreans prefer their own deterrence
  • The South Korean public are sceptic about U.S. support. With an aggressive North Korea in the neighbourhood, they would prefer their own deterrence.
• Interests of the larger power (U.S.) takes precedence
  • The agreement 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.

 

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Q1) What separates North Korea and South Korea?

The border between North Korea and South Korea is one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world and is known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The DMZ was established in 1953 after the Korean War as part of the Armistice Agreement between North Korea and the United Nations Command, which was led by the United States. The DMZ is a 250-kilometer (155-mile) long and 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) wide buffer zone that runs across the Korean Peninsula, separating North Korea from South Korea. It is a heavily militarized zone, with soldiers and military equipment from both sides stationed along the border. The area is dotted with landmines, barbed wire fences, and guard posts, making it one of the most heavily fortified borders in the world.

 

Q2) What is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)?

An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) is a type of long-range missile that is designed to be launched from one continent and travel to another continent, with the ability to strike targets thousands of kilometers away. ICBMs are typically powered by rocket engines and can travel at very high speeds, typically reaching speeds of up to 24,000 km/h (15,000 mph). They are equipped with multiple warheads or a single large warhead, and can carry nuclear, chemical, or conventional explosives.

 

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Source: Explained | What is the Washington Declaration? | The White House | The Hindu