The Results of the 54th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting and Future Tasks

Bo Ram Kwon

(brkwon@kida.re.kr)

Associate Research Fellow,

Korea Institute for Defense Analyses

English Abstract

Introduction

The 54th ROK-US Security Consultative Meeting, the highest-level meeting between South Korean and US defense officials, was held in Washington, D.C. on November 3, 2022.

The SCM evaluated the current status of the ROK-US alliance according to the changes in the security environment with North Korea’s increasing nuclear and missile threats and intensifying great power competition, shared visions for the future and reaffirmed trust within the alliance.

Key Outcomes and Achievements

South Korea and the US issued a joint communique consisting of 19 clauses. Its contents can be divided into the jointly agreed vision, future-oriented goals and the identity of the alliance.

Firstly, the identity of the alliance stems from (1)the establishment of a strong deterrence against the intensifying nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, (2)strengthened joint ROK-US defense posture, and (3)coordinated North Korea policies between South Korea and the US towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Secondly, the future of the alliance is to upgrade the alliance into a global comprehensive strategic alliance and contribute to regional and international peace.

Lastly, the two countries agreed to continue expanding security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. They affirmed the principle of adhering to international law in the South China Sea and agreed on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Future Tasks

The defense ministers reaffirmed through the SCM the vision of the global comprehensive strategic alliance presented in the ROK-US summit last May. They strengthened their resolve to further developing the alliance based on shared values and principles of freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law. Three future tasks can be identified from the joint communique of the SCM.

Firstly, in order to realize the vision of a global comprehensive strategic alliance, specific measures for cooperation on combining hard-line and appeasement policies toward North Korea should be prepared. The two countries should come up with concrete actions plans for peace and prosperity of the Korean Peninsula to upgrade the alliance and discuss the expansion of its role in the Indo-Pacific.

Secondly, the two countries should actively establish a plan to cooperate on specific issue areas under the Indo-Pacific strategy. Given the pressure between economic and security interests, this is necessary to prevent economic interests from creating problems for the alliance.

Given South Korean media’s reporting of the impact of the US CHIPS and Science ACT and the Inflation Reduction Act on Korean firms, public opinion of the US may deteriorate as the two countries hold different views on economic security and mutual trust. In addition to comprehensive security talks, the US administration should enhance its communication with Congress. The two countries should also find and develop possible areas of cooperation.

Thirdly, South Korea should achieve the status of a global pivotal state by presenting visions and principles of national security and creating rooms for maneuver from appropriate interpretation of international relations. The establishment of a regional economic order that excludes China is risky for South Korea. It should rather diversify its partner on a range of issues through minilateral platforms for economic security such as the Fab4, thereby stressing inclusiveness in the Indo-Pacific and securing strategic space.