The purpose of the agreement is also to appease South Korea, which doubts the US’s desire to defend it in the event of a real situation.
The United States and South Korea have concluded a new nuclear weapons agreement. The agreement was sealed by the president of South Korea By Yoon Suk-yeol during a visit to Washington.
According to the BBC (you will switch to another service) The United States promises to send nuclear-armed submarines to South Korea and to involve South Korea in nuclear weapons planning.
South Korea, on the other hand, commits not to develop its own nuclear weapons.
The purpose of the agreement, called the Washington Declaration, is to serve as a deterrent to North Korea, which is preparing a nuclear weapon, the US president Joe Biden said during the visit.
North Korea is known to be developing tactical nuclear missiles that it could use to strike South Korea. In addition, the country has developed intercontinental missiles, which it claims can launch a nuclear weapon against the United States.
Washington’s declaration is above all an agreement by which the United States assures South Korea that it intends to defend it in the event of a real situation.
The United States has kept troops in South Korea since the Korean War ended in 1953 and is committed to defending the country with nuclear weapons if necessary.
While North Korea has accelerated its nuclear program, there has been increasing criticism in South Korea that the United States does not include it in its planning for the use of nuclear weapons.
At the same time, more and more South Koreans hope that the country will start developing its own nuclear weapons.
It is the first time in 40 years that the United States has sent nuclear submarines to South Korea. In addition, the United States sends bombers to the country, which can carry nuclear missiles.
China reacted to the agreement by accusing the US and South Korea of ”intentionally provoking and increasing tensions leading to conflict”.