TOKYO, 8 March. /TASS/. The United States approached Japan and the Republic of Korea with a proposal to create a new advisory body on nuclear deterrence. The newspaper reported on Wednesday Yomiuri citing government sources.
It is assumed that the new tripartite council will operate on a permanent basis. It is designed to improve the US bilateral mechanisms for discussing this issue with Japan and South Korea, as well as to deepen the discussion on the issue of nuclear deterrence and expand the exchange of information on the US nuclear potential. In addition, the American side proposes to create a joint structure for conducting exercises related to nuclear deterrence during normal times, and to introduce a mechanism for determining response measures in case of an emergency.
The United States is currently holding bilateral consultations with Japan and South Korea on nuclear deterrence at the level of representatives of the foreign policy and defense ministries.
It is noted that Tokyo and Seoul reacted positively to Washington’s proposal. The list of participants and specific topics for discussion in the new format of consultations are expected to be worked out in the near future. Japan and South Korea, as the newspaper notes, expressed concern about the reliability of the US nuclear umbrella against the background of the strengthening of the military potential of the DPRK and the development of a nuclear missile program by Pyongyang.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said late last year that the United States was working with Japan and South Korea to take practical steps to strengthen Washington’s commitment to provide a nuclear umbrella for allies.
