US President Joe Biden has stated that as of the 2nd local time, he is not discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea.
This position was based on a related question received from the White House joint reporters on the way to the White House after President Biden got off the helicopter after his vacation.
When asked by reporters, 'Are you discussing joint nuclear exercises with South Korea?', President Biden replied briefly, saying 'No'.
Recently, President Yoon Seok-yeol said in an interview with a local newspaper, "We are discussing the concept of joint planning and joint exercises with the United States for effective expansion deterrence, and the United States is also quite positive."
However, President Biden only said "no" and did not explain further, making it difficult to know what kind of nuclear exercise he had in mind.
In November of last year, at the 54th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting, the defense ministers of the Republic of Korea and the United States agreed on joint planning and public exercises for the operation of nuclear forces.
Joint planning means South Korea's participation in US nuclear policy and strategy, operational plans, and rapid deterrence and response plans.
It can be seen as an official reflection of South Korea's intentions in the US nuclear decision-making.
The joint exercise means practical training in a scenario in which allies support US nuclear weapons strategic assets through conventional means.
(Photo = Getty Image Korea)