Joint Statement on the U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group Simulation

The United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) conducted the first U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) simulation, an interagency table-top simulation, Sept. 5-6, in Washington, D.C. ROK and U.S. national security, defense, military, diplomatic, and intelligence officials participated in the simulation, which was a deliverable from President Biden and President Yoon’s April 2023 Washington Declaration. 

The simulation greatly contributes to the work of the NCG, especially by strengthening the Alliance’s approach to cooperative decision-making about nuclear deterrence and planning for potential nuclear contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. Through the NCG, the United States and ROK will work to continuously improve combined exercises and training activities on the application of nuclear deterrence on the Korean Peninsula — including through regularized table-top exercises and whole-of-government simulations. The United States reaffirmed that its extended deterrence commitment to the ROK is ironclad.

The simulation, in conjunction with other standing bodies for consultations on extended deterrence, including the NCG and the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group, greatly strengthens U.S.-ROK extended deterrence cooperation.