South Korea’s defense ministry is reportedly seeking the deployment of U.S. strategic assets amid heightening tensions with North Korea. The two allies have agreed to reactivate a Trump-era consultation mechanism to further discuss the deterrence measures. On April 4, South Korea and the United States have agreed to reactivate the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) to counter “any North Korean provocation,” according to Yonhap News Agency, citing the chief of president-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s delegation. The EDSCG was established in 2016 by the Trump and Moon Jae-in administrations to ramp up discussions over various measures on extended deterrence against North Korea. But its talks have not been held since 2018, as both the United States and South Korea then worked on holding a summit with North Korea. In late March, Seoul’s defense ministry told President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol’s transition team that it is looking to discuss the U.S. strategic asset deployment on South …