The US and South Korea are set to announce measures on Wednesday aimed at strengthening their alliance and deterring North Korea. A ballistic missile submarine will be deployed to the Western Pacific by the US for the first time since the 1980s, to be followed by other hardware. A consultative group will also be created by the nations to discuss how to deter North Korea from using its nuclear weapons. Washington has made it clear that it will not redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea. As the “Washington Declaration” highlights US commitments to defending South Korea, Seoul will reaffirm its pledge to be bound by the nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Both nations are seeking stronger joint planning, consultation and intelligence sharing to deter North Korea. The two leaders also renewed their commitment to keep diplomatic avenues open to North Korea despite rising tensions on the peninsula. The US president, Joe Biden, further warned that any North Korean nuclear attack against the US or its allies would result in the end of the outgoing regime.