Top security officials, experts call for continued U.S. commitment to nuclear deterrence, partnership with allies: Asan Plenum 2025

The second Trump administration's first three months in office have been marked by tariffs and continued tensions with its partner countries.

In Seoul, a forum gathering prominent diplomatic officials and experts raised the need for America to build confidence among its allies.

Our Oh Soo-young reports.

Nuclear deterrence and alliances should not be neglected but bolstered by the United States, as geopolitical tensions and global conflicts continue three months into the second Trump administration.

That's according to officials and experts at the annual Asan Plenum in Seoul.

As concerns grow over the lack of messaging on Washington's security commitment to its allies,.. Kurt Campbell, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, raised the need for confidence-building, noting North Korea's nuclear threat, Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons, and the largest nuclear build-up of modern times in China.

"My own view is that over time we're going to need to do more and we're going to need to involve our key allies, Japan and the ROK, more in decision making around military nuclear use, much in the way we did in Europe and in parts of the Cold War."

Campbell also called for Seoul to have greater representation, as an addition to the G7 or the Quad, saying its contributions to global governance are dearly valued.

On trade concerns, as America rolls out reciprocal tariffs against its trading partners, the former diplomat expressed optimism towards the "ingenuity and the determination" by Seoul's trade officials, who have traveled to Washington, D.C for ministerial consultations this week.

Former U.S. White House official Victor Cha said Trump has unlocked many new opportunities of cooperation that were previously unthinkable.

"The most obvious area is shipbuilding where the U.S. needs help. Korea's very successful in that area. Strategic energy cooperation. Where South Korea doesn't need to rely on unreliable supplies from the Gulf but get energy supplies from the U.S."

"The annual discussion comes amid the need for the Indo-Pacific security architecture to evolve to meet the challenges of a new era, especially at a time marked by competing visions of order and leadership in Northeast Asia."

Highlighting 80 years since the end of World War Two that liberated South Korea from Japan's colonisation, Seoul's Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul warned against "naked self-interest" that led to war in the past.

As two key democratic players in the Indo-Pacific, Cho highlighted Seoul and Tokyo's dramatic improvement of relations over the past three years, saying their partnership is not a choice but a necessity.

The two nations commemorate 60 years of normalising bilateral ties this year.

Amid the U.S.-China rivalry, Cho said South Korea and Japan can encourage China's constructive role and prevent escalations in the region.

Tokyo's ambassador to Seoul also called for continued trilateral cooperation with the U.S. to strengthen deterrence and foster regional stability and prosperity.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.