The outlines of the Korea-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), which the two governments agreed to establish at their summit last month, are gradually emerging. Some speculate that the first meeting could be held early next month at the earliest.
According to Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 24th (local time), an official from the US Department of Defense said that John Plum, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, “is likely to be the US representative of the ROK-US NCG” on the premise that it is a ‘personal opinion’. .
The official also mentioned that “As for the nuclear issue, Assistant Secretary Plum has represented the US side,” and that “He is a more powerful candidate (NCG representative) than Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and the Pacific Affairs Eli Ratner.”
The RFA was accompanied by Assistant Secretary Plum, Bipin Narang, Senior Deputy Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, Richard Johnson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Response, Austin Long, Deputy Director for Strategy, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and officials from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Strategic Command. It was reported that he would participate in the NCG’s US delegation.
In addition, RFA reported that among the US State Department personnel, Alessandra Bell, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Disarmament, Verification and Compliance, is expected to join the ROK-US NCG.
Heo Tae-geun, head of the defense policy office at the Ministry of National Defense (reserved army brigadier general), is expected to be named as the representative of the South Korean side to participate in the ROK-US NCG.
Representatives from the U.S. and South Korea participated in the 8th Extended Deterrence Exercise (DSC TTX) held at the U.S. Department of Defense on February 22 (local time). On the far right is Heo Tae-geun, head of the Defense Policy Office at the Ministry of National Defense. (Provided by the Ministry of National Defense) 2023.2.24/News 1Heo served as the head of the U.S. policy department at the Ministry of National Defense, the deputy director for policy planning, and the deputy director for North Korean nuclear policy during his active duty career.
After serving as the head of the Defense Policy Office from August of last year, Director Huh served as the chief representative of the ROK side at major exercises and meetings, such as the Korea-US Extended Deterrence Practice (DSC TTX), the Korea-US Integrated Defense Consultative Body (KIDD), and the Korea-US-Japan Security Conference (DTT). Participated.
In the midst of this, there is a prospect that the first Korea-US NCG meeting will be held in early next month at the earliest.
However, Jeon Ha-gyu, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said only in a regular briefing on the 25th that “the timing and organization of the new consultative body will be concreted through consultations between South Korea and the United States.”
The US Department of Defense also responded to questions such as when the first ROK-US NCG meeting will be held and who the US representative will be, said, “There is nothing to announce at this time,” RFA reported.
The ROK-US NCG is a deputy ministerial consultative body between South Korea and the US that will discuss detailed plans for the US to strengthen extended deterrence against North Korea.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.