US, S. Korea Announce Nuclear Agreement

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The Facts

  • The US has agreed to give South Korea more input on a potential American nuclear response to a North Korean attack in return for an agreement that the country will not develop its own nuclear weapons.

  • The agreement, called the Washington Declaration, will give South Korean leadership more of a voice on the use of US nuclear forces to defend itself, though Washington would still retain control over the targeting and execution of weapons.

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

This treaty is meant to assure the South Korean public that the US would have their back should any possible confrontation with North Korea occur. As long-time allies in the fight against authoritarianism in the East, it's the US' duty to use its global military prowess to deter any and all aggressors in the region who may seek to harm American interests and that of its many regional friends.

The White House

Establishment-critical narrative

Yoon has enabled the warmongering US government since he first took office. In the name of "preventing" military escalation in the East, this joint doctrine is actually provoking North Korea and steering both the American and South Korean people toward an unnecessary war. Washington and Seoul have ignored the 80% of South Koreans who opposed the US strategy of provoking China and other regional "enemies."

CounterPunch

Metaculus Prediction

Establishment split

CRITICAL

PRO

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