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US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg speaks during a forum hosted by the Korean Women Journalists Association held at the Korea Press Center in downtown Seoul on Feb. 1. (Yonhap)

Seoul and Washington are continuing talks on how to strengthen extended deterrence to protect South Korea from escalating threats posed by North Korea through the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group, US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg said Wednesday.

The ambassador also firmly drew a line in regard to domestic calls for nuclear armament and for the US to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to the Korean Peninsula.

Goldberg’s comments were made at a forum hosted by the Korean Women Journalists Association in downtown Seoul on Wednesday.

The Q&A session mainly focused on whether US extended deterrence could be trusted in the context of North Korea’s advancements in its nuclear and missile capabilities as well as on South Korean public opinion, which seems to be increasingly in favor of acquiring nuclear arms.

In response to repeated questions, Goldberg emphasized that the South Korea-US alliance has maintained peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the region for 70 years and that the two countries are discussing extended deterrence and are “moving forward in further talks about the subject,” on all its available capabilities, including nuclear, to further reassure the South Korean government and people.

He also underscored Washington’s ironclad commitment to protecting the alliance.

As an example of this, he said that South Korea and the US have prepared a plan to expand and actively carry out joint military drills this year and to deploy US strategic weapons such as aircraft carriers and F-35 fighters as needed to South Korea.

When asked if South Korea could partially participate or have a say in US nuclear operations, Goldberg said, “On extended deterrence, we're continuing discussing the whole range of our capabilities with the Yoon administration.”

“That will continue, and I think you'll see further evidence of our willingness and our objective of reassuring the South Korean people if they are not convinced of it till now,” the ambassador went on to say.

Goldberg also added that talks are currently underway to provide a “clearer understanding between the two governments about how [extended deterrence] operates, how it’s used, [and] planning on different elements of the nuclear capability that we have.”

The US ambassador also responded to a question about a recent survey that showed 77 percent of South Korean respondents believe nuclear armament is necessary to pursue.

According to Goldberg, it’s only natural that there is a lot of discussion in a free and open society as a result of public opinion and academic surveys in South Korea.

“Some of these polls rely on how the question is asked, and it’s a complex issue with many different elements to it. Sometimes the questions are very simple ones when in fact, the answers are more difficult when all the information is presented,” the ambassador added.

The remark appeared to be the ambassador’s way of hinting that Seoul should consider the consequences of pursuing a nuclear path.

For example, such a decision could shake the South Korea-US alliance and make South Korea subject to sanctions, which would hurt the Korean economy and also make it difficult to operate nuclear power plants.

In addition, Goldberg also commented regarding allegations that North Korea is selling arms to Russia’s Wagner Group, saying the US viewed this issue as “very serious” while stating that supplies were indeed moving in that direction.

“Wagner Group is an international criminal organization, as we have already designated,” Goldberg said, stating that Russia was violating UN resolutions banning arms imports from North Korea.

Regarding Ukraine, Goldberg did not point-blank mention South Korea providing direct military aid to the country, but said that South Korea has been a friendly ally to Ukraine by providing humanitarian goods for its people and that Seoul continues to faithfully participate in upholding sanctions against Russia.

He did, however, leave the possibility open for expanded cooperation in the future, saying Washington is currently talking to “friends and allies around the world about the provision of more military equipment to Ukraine.”

The US ambassador also made mention of Seoul-Tokyo relations, saying it is a “good development” that talks and negotiations are being held between the two nations on various issues.

Goldberg also praised President Yoon Suk-yeol for his efforts at reconciliation with Japan by “taking the initiative” and showing a willingness to improve relations with Tokyo while also noting the president’s attention to regional security cooperation.

Regarding the role of the US in South Korea-Japan relations, Goldberg said, it’s difficult to comment on any direct role played by Washington since the two countries are in the midst of talks.

He did, however, say the US wants to “encourage” better relations between South Korea and Japan given its own major interests involved. This shows Washington’s deep interest in progress being made on trilateral security between the US, South Korea and Japan.

In addition, Goldberg also touched on the controversy surrounding the US Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which some call a protectionist bill that excludes and negatively affects foreign companies, including South Korean firms.

“We rely heavily on Korea and our partnership, especially with South Korean companies, to carry out our objectives of a green economy,” he said, adding that there are companies that are using the IRA to do further investment in the US, particularly in the production of electric vehicles and batteries.

“We know there are concerns about certain aspects of the IRA when it comes to tax credits for electric vehicles, and we've worked with the government and with industry, with Hyundai and Kia, to try to come up with solutions," Goldberg added, suggesting that some of the issues will be resolved through detailed guidelines scheduled to be announced by the end of March.

By Park Min-hee, editorial writer

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