Washington and Seoul Establish Joint Guidelines Against the Threat of Pyongyang

Agency "Yonhap" reported today that "the United States and South Korea intend to establish joint guidelines on a nuclear defense strategy by mid next year and create an integrated system to counter North Korean nuclear weapons." Washington and Seoul have decided to finalize comprehensive guidelines by next year on how to jointly contain and respond to the nuclear threat from Pyongyang, according to remarks made to reporters in the United States by South Korean National Security Deputy Advisor Kim Tae-hyo. Yonhap noted that "it is also expected that the United States and South Korea will include nuclear operational drills in their joint military exercises next year." The guidelines are expected to include means for sharing sensitive information related to North Korean nuclear weapons, consultation in the event of a nuclear crisis, and direct communication channels between the leaders of the two countries.