South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol and first lady Kim Keon-hee arrived in Washington on Monday for a state visit that will include “key deliverables” on the expanded nuclear deterrent, the White House said. Yonhap’s photo
Seoul, April 25 (UPI) — U.S. President Joe Biden and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will present a “major” update to the United States’ extended nuclear deterrence commitment to their ally at a summit this week, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
“On Wednesday, President Biden and President Yoon will announce key deliverables on enhanced deterrence, cyber cooperation, climate change mitigation, foreign aid, investment and strengthening our people-to-people ties,” Sullivan said. press briefing on Monday.
“This visit … comes at a critical time as North Korea continues to develop its nuclear and missile capabilities,” Sullivan said. – President Biden will strengthen and strengthen our extended deterrence commitments to South Korea in light of the threat posed by the DPRK.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the official name of North Korea.
Yoon arrived in Washington on Monday for a six-day state visit that will include a summit and a joint news conference with Biden and an address to Congress, with the threat of North Korea high on the agenda.
Pyongyang has conducted weapons tests at an unprecedented pace over the past year and recently launched its first solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile, which analysts say could pose new challenges to missile defense systems.
Since Yoon took office last May, Seoul and Washington have strengthened defense ties and stepped up joint military exercises. But there are growing questions in South Korea about the credibility of the US nuclear umbrella, with some calling for Seoul to acquire its own nuclear weapons.
The Yoon administration is seeking greater input into the planning and implementation of any nuclear response to North Korea.
Sullivan did not provide specific details about the upcoming announcement of the extended deterrence, but said it would send “a very clear and demonstrable signal about the credibility of the United States.”
A state visit that will highlight the South Korean-US alliance that has emerged since 1950-1953. The 70th anniversary of the Korean War also focuses on economic and trade ties in key industries including semiconductors, batteries and electric vehicles.
Yoon is accompanied by a delegation of 122 business leaders from South Korea’s biggest conglomerates, including executives from Samsung Electronics, Hyundai Motors, LG Corp. and chip maker SK Hynix. The companies are seeking to win concessions in the contentious areas of the US Inflation Relief Act and the Chips and Science Act.
South Korea’s cultural influence, which has grown globally in recent years in K-pop and reached streaming series such as The Squidward Game, will also be in the spotlight during Yoon’s visit, with the president meeting with officials from US media giants such as Paramount, Sony Pictures and Walt. The Disney Company.
After arriving on Monday, Yoon sat down with Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, who announced a $2.5 billion investment for the streaming platform in South Korea over the next four years.
