The U.S. and the ROK agreed Friday to finalize guidelines for a joint nuclear strategy by mid-2024, according to South Korea’s principal deputy national security adviser Kim Tae-hyo. This decision was taken during the second Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting at the Pentagon. The guidelines will cover sharing sensitive nuclear information, security system establishment, nuclear crisis consultation procedures and operation of a real-time leader-level communication channel.

The NCG session, which lasted over seven hours, also saw agreement on incorporating nuclear operation scenarios into the 2024 military exercises, including Ulchi Freedom Shield. Additionally, the U.S. has committed to providing “in-depth” nuclear education to South Korean officials next year. The third NCG meeting is scheduled to be held in South Korea next summer as part of the ongoing efforts under the Washington Declaration to enhance the credibility of extended deterrence against North Korea.