President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol will meet next week to discuss North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile capabilities.
Yoon’s April 24-29 official visit to the U.S. will mark the 70th anniversary of the countries’ partnership.
The two presidents will discuss North Korea’s deterrence, supply chain stability, chip, battery, and other high-tech collaboration.
“It will be an opportunity to further solidify the combined defence posture and operate extended deterrence between the two countries in a more concrete manner, while deepening economic security cooperation,” deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo told a briefing.
Since conservative Yoon assumed power last May, the tension on the Korean peninsula has increased.
North Korea tested its first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile last week, continuing its weapons development.
North Korea claims it needs its weapons to prevent “regime change” by South Korea and the U.S. South Korea and the U.S. deny such purpose.
Yoon wants to increase South Korea’s position in U.S. extended deterrence, the nuclear umbrella defending allies.
Yoon and Biden may discuss supporting Ukraine amid Western pressure for South Korea to fight the Russian military.
Due to commercial interests and Russian influence over North Korea, South Korea, a major artillery ammunition supplier, has focused on humanitarian and financial relief for Ukraine rather than antagonizing Russia.
In an interview with Reuters on Tuesday, Yoon signaled a softening of his position on weapons to Ukraine, saying his government might not “insist only on humanitarian or financial support” in the event of a large-scale attack on civilians or a “situation the international community cannot condone.”
Kim said Yoon would attend a summit and joint news conference with Biden on April 26 and speak to Congress on April 27 before visiting Boston to talk at the Harvard Kennedy School.
