On Sept. 4, the foreign affairs and defense agencies of the United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) convened the fifth meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) in Washington. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins and Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cara Abercrombie led the U.S. delegation. ROK First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun and Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Dr. Cho Chang Lae led the ROK delegation.
The EDSCG serves as a key annual forum for the Alliance to discuss and coordinate on security strategy and policy issues affecting the Korean Peninsula and broader Indo-Pacific. The fifth EDSCG built on progress from previous meetings, continuing significant efforts to strengthen extended deterrence since the April 2023 announcement of the Washington Declaration.
In the meeting, participants shared assessments on North Korea's dangerous behavior, including ongoing missile launches and pursuit of weapons of mass destruction in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Both sides expressed concerns about North Korea's recent actions along the DMZ that increase risks on the Peninsula. They reaffirmed their commitment to denuclearization consistent with UNSC resolutions, enhancing coordination against sanctions evasion, cyber activities, nuclear attacks, and non-nuclear WMD threats.
The United States reiterated support for President Yoon's aim to pursue diplomacy with North Korea under ROK's Audacious Initiative. Both sides remain open to dialogue without preconditions.
The ROK and United States condemned military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including arms transfers violating UNSC resolutions, identifying measures to address increased DPRK-Russia security cooperation. They urged Russia and North Korea to comply with relevant UNSC resolutions.
Recognizing interconnectedness between Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, they discussed implications for deterrence and U.S. nuclear posture. They considered non-nuclear threats including emerging technologies, committing to leverage technological advantages to enhance deterrence. They pledged continued use of diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools available to strengthen deterrence.
Both sides welcomed advances by the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), including signing NCG Guidelines. For the first time at EDSCG meetings, principals conducted scenario-based discussions to strengthen policy planning.
Acknowledging regional threats, both nations committed to close cooperation ensuring strategies enhance peace in Indo-Pacific regions. The U.S reiterated its commitment using full military capabilities supporting extended deterrence for ROK; any nuclear attack by North Korea will be met with a decisive response.
The co-chairs met with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell at State Department Treaty Room applauding EDSCG as an enduring forum strengthening extended deterrence through diplomatic-defense cooperation between both countries' establishments. Following this meeting principals visited National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center praising Alliance history at a press conference commending EDSCG progress.
Next high-level EDSCG meeting is scheduled for 2025.
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