US and South Korea Strengthen Nuclear Cooperation with Submarine Deployment

The United States and South Korea have agreed to cooperate on nuclear weapons for the first time, with Seoul given a central role in strategic planning for the use of nuclear weapons in any conflict with North Korea. In return, South Korea has agreed not to pursue its own nuclear weapons arsenal. The new cooperation is modeled on how NATO nations plan for possible nuclear conflict, but the American president will retain the sole authority to decide whether to employ a nuclear weapon. The agreement, called the Washington Declaration, is a centerpiece of this week’s state visit by President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea.