Seoul urges China to play constructive role amid North Korea-China criticism of US-SK deterrence

North Korea and China have jointly criticized the United States and South Korea's "extended deterrence" cooperation, prompting Seoul to call for China to play a more constructive role.

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The US-South Korea extended deterrence is a legitimate response to protect our citizens' lives and safety and a proper duty as a responsible government.

This coordinated criticism follows Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Pyongyang and a strengthening of North Korea-China relations. South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Park Il, stated on March 23 that the US-South Korea extended deterrence is a legitimate and responsible measure to protect South Korean citizens from North Korea's escalating illegal nuclear and missile programs. He emphasized that this cooperation aligns with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and that South Korea upholds its treaty obligations.

Both North Korea and China have voiced concerns about the US-South Korea "extended deterrence" framework. North Korea, in a recent Workers' Party Central Committee meeting report, criticized the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) between the US and South Korea. Leader Kim Jong Un specifically condemned South Korea's pursuit of nuclear-powered submarines and the NCG's activation, arguing they push the Korean Peninsula towards nuclear war and justifying North Korea's own nuclear buildup.

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South Korea faithfully fulfills its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and continuously reaffirms its commitment to the international non-proliferation regime.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry clarified that its development of nuclear-powered submarines is a response to the evolving security environment on the Korean Peninsula, including North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities. While some analysts suggest China and North Korea may not fully align on the nuclear issue, with China wary of provoking Japan's nuclear armament, Beijing might be subtly acquiescing to North Korea's nuclear status to maximize its strategic interests in East Asia.

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Our development of nuclear-powered submarines is being pursued to strengthen our security in response to the rapidly changing security environment on the Korean Peninsula, including the advancement of North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities.

Seoul's foreign and security officials do not believe China's actions are a direct result of cooperation with North Korea but rather a continuation of their established stance against US-South Korea extended deterrence. The South Korean government is focusing on China's continued mention of "continuity in its Korean Peninsula policy," despite its recent omission of explicit denuclearization calls, and will continue to press China for its role in denuclearizing the peninsula. "We hope that China, as a responsible nation, will play a more prudent and constructive role for the common goal of denuclearization and regional peace and stability, based on a deep understanding of international norms and regional situations," Park added.

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We hope that China, as a responsible nation, will play a more prudent and constructive role for the common goal of denuclearization and regional peace and stability, based on a deep understanding of international norms and regional situations.