WASHINGTON - Officials from South Korea and the United States are scheduled to convene this week for the Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) in Washington, aiming to fortify security collaboration and strategize against the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea, as stated by Seoul's defense ministry.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the upcoming dialogue on Thursday is pivotal for aligning strategies before the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting slated for June. The discussions will encompass various aspects of the alliance, particularly focusing on enhancing mutual defense postures and response mechanisms to potential nuclear crises concerning North Korea.
The KIDD serves as a critical platform for both nations to refine their cooperative defense framework, especially in anticipation of the third NCG meeting. The June session is set to establish comprehensive guidelines on sharing intelligence, outlining consultation protocols during nuclear emergencies, and implementing a direct communication link between the leaders of both nations.
Initiated in April of the previous year, the NCG was formed as a bilateral effort to address nuclear and strategic planning issues, aiming to bolster deterrence against North Korea's advancing military capabilities. This week's dialogue will further explore executing the "Defense Vision of the U.S.-ROK Alliance," an initiative endorsed by defense leaders from both countries last November. The vision advocates for the advancement of "extended deterrence" measures, the modernization of military capabilities through scientific and technological collaboration, and the reinforcement of security ties with regional allies.
Extended deterrence underscores America's pledge to deploy its comprehensive military strength, including nuclear assets, to safeguard its allies. The discussions will feature South Korean Deputy Defense Minister for Policy Cho Chang-rae, alongside Ely Ratner, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, and Andrew Winternitz, the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia, leading the engagement.