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Transcript/ScriptUS SOUTH KOREA TV
HEADLINE: US, South Korea Declare Enhanced Partnership to Deter North Korea
TEASER: ‘Washington Declaration’ gives Seoul more US contingency planning against North Korean nuclear attacks, in exchange for SKorea not developing nuclear weapons
PUBLISHED: 04/26/23 at 7:11p
BYLINE: Anita Powell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: WHITE HOUSE
VIDEOGRAPHER: AP, Zoom
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Aru Pande, Tom Turco
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, AFP, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:02
VID APPROVED BY: Reifenrath
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO:))
[[The United States and South Korea signed a landmark agreement Wednesday that gives Seoul a greater decision-making role in U.S. contingency planning against a possible North Korea nuclear attack, in exchange for Seoul agreeing not to pursue its own nuclear weapons program. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.]]
((NARRATOR))
President Joe Biden affirmed the U.S. commitment to defend against North Korean aggression as he welcomed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ((YOON SUNG YOLE)) for a pomp-filled state visit, just the second such visit of his administration.
((President Joe Biden))
“Look, a nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies and partisan – partners – is unacceptable and will result in the end of whatever regime were to take such an action. And it's about strengthening deterrence in response to DPRK’s escalatory behavior and a deal in complete consultation.“
((NARRATOR))
Pyongyang has “greatly increased its missile launch activities” this year and last, the United Nations says.
Under the new Washington Declaration, the two allies will bolster defenses against Pyongyang. ((Mandatory courtesy: SOUTH KOREAN DEFENSE MINISTRY)) The United States will set up a Nuclear Consultative Group to allow greater information sharing and give Seoul a greater voice in deliberations over U.S. weapons deployment. In return, Seoul will maintain its non-nuclear status in accordance with the Non-Proliferation Treaty it ratified in 1975.
Yoon, on Wednesday, welcomed the agreement. ((end credit))
((Yoon Suk Yeol, Korean President ))
“In the event of North Korea's nuclear attack, and [our countries] promised to respond swiftly, overwhelmingly and decisively, using the full force of the Alliance including the United States’ nuclear weapons.”
((NARRATOR))
Biden said the two presidents also discussed security beyond the Korean Peninsula.
((President Joe Biden))
“We discussed our work together on promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits, ensuring freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and beyond. Excuse me. I also affirmed – we together affirmed our shared commitment to stand with the people of Ukraine against Russia's brutal assault on their freedom or territorial integrity and democracy.”
((NARRATOR))
The U.S. and South Korea have been allies since the end of the Korean war, 70 years ago, but analysts say there are questions in South Korea about the strength and credibility of the agreement.
((Radio: Scott Snyder is director of the program on U.S.-Korea policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.))
((Scott Snyder, Council on Foreign Relations)) ((Zoom))
“It takes it off the table the possibility of any kind of South Korean development of an indigenous nuclear capability, and it really bolsters the idea that the U.S. and South Korea are going to address North Korea together. But it does run a little bit against the the trendline of a South Korean public debate in which concerns about U.S. credibility and concerns about South Korean vulnerability have led to pretty high public support for the idea that South Korea needs to be able to defend itself from a nuclear North Korea on its own.”
((NARRATOR))
But, Snyder added, the potential for cooperation continues to grow, including in space.
On Tuesday, Yoon and Vice President Kamala Harris explored the two nations’ growing ties in space exploration and security, with a tour of a NASA facility near Washington.
That’s a sign, he said, that this partnership may go to a new frontier.
((Anita Powell, VOA News, the White House))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
the White House
Embargo DateApril 26, 2023 17:58 EDT
Byline
Anita Powell, VOA News, the White House
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
