The US Army has undertaken its inaugural training exercise focused on “nuclear weapon effects” in South Korea, seeking to enhance operational capabilities in environments contaminated by nuclear warfare. This two-day drill was held at South Korea’s Strategic Command in Seoul and involved participation from the Army’s specialized nuclear and weapons of mass destruction (WMD) response unit, along with 13 representatives from South Korea.
Instructors from the US Army Nuclear and Countering WMD Agency (USANCA) led the exercise, which featured sessions centered around nuclear deterrence and the collaborative role of Seoul in combined nuclear and conventional operations. While specifics of the training remained undisclosed, US Forces Korea (USFK) highlighted that the drill was designed to build the necessary operational knowledge and skills for managing threats posed by nuclear environments.
“The training content is directly applicable to the alliance’s tabletop exercises and wargames focused on conventional-nuclear integration, and enhancing the combined joint force’s strategic understanding,” stated USFK officials, underlining the importance of this training in strengthening the alliance’s preparedness.
This unprecedented initiative coincides with increasing apprehensions regarding North Korea’s advancing nuclear weapons program. Despite renewed diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has steadfastly vowed to persist in the development of his country’s nuclear capabilities. He has made explicit threats, asserting that his forces would utilize nuclear weapons “without hesitation” if attacked by South Korea and its allies.
Recently, Kim inspected a new nuclear-powered submarine project aimed at significantly enhancing North Korea’s naval capabilities, further raising alarms in the region. In response to these developments, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have reaffirmed their dedication to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, declaring that they will not tolerate any provocations or threats against regional stability.
USFK underscored the significance of the Nuclear Weapon Effects Course – Korea, emphasizing the crucial role that South Korean forces (ROK) play in advancing integration between conventional and nuclear capabilities within the ROK-US Alliance. This training initiative is viewed as a proactive measure to address evolving nuclear threats and improve joint operational readiness among allied forces in the region.
