To mark the 70th anniversary of the alliance between South Korea and the United States, President Yoon Seok-youl of South Korea and President Joseph R. Biden of the United States convened at the White House, adopting the pivotal “Washington Declaration.” This significant act paved the way for the establishment and institutionalization of the ROK-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG). The NCG is envisioned as a mechanism to address North Korea’s nuclear threat, striving for nuclear sharing and a nuclear defense system, thereby alleviating concerns about nuclear security. The NCG is perceived as a crucial advancement in the realm of ‘tailored extended deterrence’ on the Korean Peninsula. However, its operational scope and efficacy remain subjects of debate within South Korea. A comparative analysis with other consultative entities, such as NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) and Extended Deterrence Strategy Consultative Group (EDSCG), raises questions about NCG’s unique contributions and potential functional overlaps. Furthermore, the establishment of the NCG represents a notable progression in the strengthened ROK-US alliance. This progression coincides with the resumption of large-scale joint nuclear security military exercises under the new administrations of both nations. Anticipated future operations within the NCG framework encompass the continual deployment of strategic assets and the execution of nuclear simulation exercises. Such actions serve not merely as a deterrent message to North Korea but also aim to instill confidence in the US’s commitment to extended deterrence among the South Korean populace. This study aims to highlight the significance and implications of the ROK-US Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) through an exhaustive comparative analysis of existing nuclear security consultative bodies and pertinent nuclear security policies. Moreover, this research emphasizes strategies to boost the NCG’s effectiveness, the necessity for policy enhancements to foster South Korea’s nuclear security autonomy, and the importance of raising nuclear security awareness among the general public.

The increasing use of drones in terrorist attacks highlights the need for effective strategies to prevent and respond to drone terrorism. This study uses machine learning approach to identify factors that predict the success of drone terrorism and suggests policy alternatives for preventing such acts. Drone terrorism is becoming increasingly accessible due to advancements in information and communication technology, and events such as North Korea’s drone infiltration and the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrate the potential threat of drone attacks on Important National Facilities, including nuclear power plants. Using the Global Terrorism Database (GTD), this study analyzed drone terrorism incidents that occurred worldwide from 2016 to 2020. The study employed the Random Forest algorithm, which can incorporate multiple factors and their interactions, making it particularly suitable for social science research. The study provides new insights by deriving predictors that were previously overlooked in empirical analyses of drone terrorism. The findings of this study can aid in the establishment of anti-terrorism policies aimed at addressing the growing threat of drone terrorism. This can include the organization and expansion of the crisis management governance terrorism response council, the creation of a working manual through the partial revision of laws concerning drone terrorism response, and the implementation of anti-drone equipment and systems. Ultimately, the insights gained from this study can provide development of effective strategies aimed at preventing and responding to drone attacks. The study highlights the importance of proactive measures to mitigate the risks posed by drone technology in the context of terrorism.