Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

Establishing the Korea-U.S. diplomatic and defense Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group

Expecting synergies through diplomatic-military linkage
The U.S. promised to provide with nuclear deterrence at the level of that in its own states
Secretary Carter warned North Korea not to make mistakes

Korea and the U.S. have established an Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) to deter nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. It is expected to serve as a connection between diplomatic pressure and military deterrence action towards North Korea.

At a joint press conference held after the Korea-U.S. foreign and defense (2+2) ministerial talks which took place at the U.S. Department of State, Miniser of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se said on 19th (local time) “We have decided to establish EDSCG, a 2+2 high-level diplomatic and defense consultative body between Korea and the U.S., in order to enhance cooperation related to the extended deterrence. The aim is to shape up and institutionalize the extended deterrence, a core part of the U..S.. defense commitment towards Korea.”

At these 2+2 talks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun and Defense Minister Han Min-koo from Republic of Korea exchanged opinions about enhancing the Korea-U.S. alliance and joint response actions against North Korean issues with Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter from the U.S.

‘Extended Deterrence’ is when the U.S. provides allied nations with nuclear deterrence at the level of that in its own states, and so far, Korea and the U.S. have discussed this at the Deterrence Strategy Committee (DSC), a KIDD-affiliated committee of both defense ministries.

This EDSCG-to-be is a high-level consultative body under the 2+2 ministerial talks with the agendas of application plans of Diplomacy Intelligence Military Economy (DIME), core elements of the deterrence, and political and strategic matters related to the extended deterrence. With the participation of high-level officials in the diplomatic and defense area, it will construct macroscopic strategy and policy level of consultation mechanism.

EDSCG is considered to be a comprehensive means of consultation that is similar to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in terms of the joint participation of both foreign and defense authorities. The Foreign Affairs expects to be able to achieve synergies when strong, practical sanctions against North Korea are paired with specific military actions.

Minister Yun said, “Through the establishment of a high-level consultative body, we can create a multi-layered consultation mechanism that handles everything from military-level consultation related to the extended deterrence to strategic and political issues. In addition, it would also comprehensively lead a maximized extended deterrence of the alliance.”

In addition, in the opening statement of the 2+2 talks, U.S. Secretary of State Kerry said, “There is no doubt that the U.S. must defend itself and take all steps necessary to comply with our security commitment towards allied nations including Republic of Korea,” reconfirming the strong will for extended deterrence. And Secretary  of Defense Carter put an emphasis on the provision of extended deterrence guaranteed by all the defense ability that can be used, mentioning the steady defense commitment towards the South.

In particular, Secretary Carter warned North Korea not to make mistakes and said, “The U.S. will repel any kind of attack towards us and our allied nations. North Korea will face an effective, overwhelming response if it uses any nuclear weapons.”

Meanwhile, President Park Geun-hye, at the chief secretary meeting held at Cheongwadae on October 20, said, “It should strengthen the institutional frame and ensure its internal stability to more visibly and effectively guarantee Korea and the U.S.'s capabilities related to sanctions against North Korea including the extended deterrence, so that our people can feel secure.”

By Chul-Hwan, Kim < droid001@dema.mil.kr >
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