Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) – During talks during a Washington visit, advisors to South Korea’s president-elect requested redeployment U.S. strategically assets such as submarines and nuclear bombers, to the Korean peninsula, according to one adviser.

Yoon Suk-yeol’s foreign policy and security aides met Jake Sullivan from the U.S. National Security Advisor. Yoon is seeking a stronger security presence to counter threats from North Korea during its increased weapons testing.

Park Jin (a four-term lawmaker) said to reporters that “deploying strategic assets is an important component of reinforcing our extended deterrence.”

The President stated that they had been discussing ways for the U.S. to strengthen its nuclear deterrence. He was speaking at talks to coordinate efforts against North Korean menace, which took place on a trip with the goal of reaching an agreement on the early summit between Joe Biden and the President.

An official from the White House asked about these talks. He said that Washington had supported South Korea’s deployments. However, he did not go into detail.

Yoon will be sworn into office on May 10th, having won the March 9 elections. This comes as tensions flare after North Korea launches an intercontinental missile (ICBM).

Yoon has promised to “respond strongly” to North Korean threats with the deployment of U.S. nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, and bombers.

JOINT DRILLS

Yoon also promised to return to the normalization of joint military drills with America that were cut under President Moon Jae In, in an attempt to calm Pyongyang’s anger and restart stalled negotiations to get rid of the peninsula of its nuclear weapons.

North Korea long condemned the exercise as a preparation for war. The allies reduced field training, shunned major weapons, including bombers, air carriers and aircraft, and instead emphasized computer simulations.

Park declined to answer questions about spring exercises. The domestic media claim that this could include the use of nuclear bombers.

“We all agreed that it was important to preserve deterrence, so that we can respond effectively to any North Korean provocations,” he stated. He did not mention ICBM missile launches nor psychological warfare such as verbal assaults.

Park said that Biden was invited to Seoul by the delegation to attend his meeting with Quad nations in Asia.

Yoon sent Biden also a letter expressing his “solid desire and vision” for closer ties on North Korea, as well as economic security.

Park is being considered as a strong candidate for foreign minister. Cho Tae-yong (a Yoon lawmaker from the conservative People Power Party, PPP) was also part of the delegation.