Antony J. Blinken 71st U.S. Secretary of State | Official Website
On September 4, 2024, the foreign affairs and defense agencies of the United States and the 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 the progress of previous years’ meetings and carried forward significant Alliance 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 continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction in violation of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Both sides also shared concerns about North Korea's recent behaviors along the DMZ that raise risks of inadvertent escalation on the Peninsula. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to complete denuclearization consistent with UNSC resolutions. They committed to further enhance coordination to address North Korean sanctions evasion, including malicious cyber activities, and bolster deterrence against nuclear attacks as well as non-nuclear WMD attacks.
The United States reiterated its strong support for President Yoon’s aim to open a path for serious diplomacy with North Korea, emphasizing goals aligned with South Korea's Audacious Initiative. Both sides reaffirmed they remain open to dialogue without preconditions.
Both countries condemned military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including arms transfers that violate UNSC resolutions, identifying measures to address increased DPRK-Russia security cooperation. They resolved to closely monitor what Russia provides to North Korea and urged both nations to abide by relevant UNSC resolutions.
Recognizing deepening interconnectedness between the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic regions, discussions included implications for deterrence and U.S. nuclear posture. The two sides considered non-nuclear threats, emerging technologies, and committed to leveraging technological advantages to enhance deterrence. They pledged continued use of diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools available to strengthen deterrence.
Significant advances made by the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) were welcomed by both sides during its first year, including completion of NCG Guidelines. For the first time at an EDSCG meeting, a scenario-based discussion was conducted to strengthen policy planning.
Acknowledging mounting regional threats, both countries committed to close cooperation ensuring strategies enhance peace in the Indo-Pacific region. The United States reiterated its commitment using full military capabilities supporting extended deterrence for South Korea. Any nuclear attack by North Korea against South Korea will be met with a swift response; any such attack against U.S or allies is deemed unacceptable.
Co-chairs met with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in the State Department Treaty Room where they applauded EDSCG as an enduring forum strengthening extended deterrence through diplomatic and defense cooperation between both nations' establishments. Following this meeting, principals visited National Nuclear Risk Reduction Center praising Alliance history at a press conference commending EDSCG progress.
The next high-level EDSCG meeting will be held in 2025.
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