US pledges ‘nuclear capabilities’ to Asian ally — RT World News
Washington offered Seoul the ‘full range’ of its military capabilities to deter North Korea, including US nuclear forces
The United States and South Korea have said Pyongyang will face a « overwhelming decisive response » in the event of a nuclear strike, issue the warning after North Korea codifies its own nuclear doctrine in a new law.
Security officials from both countries met for an « expanded deterrence strategy and advisory group meeting » on Friday to discuss ways to « strengthening deterrence against DPRK aggression, and more broadly countering the DPRK threat », using the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Much of the summit focused on nuclear issues, with both sides promising immediate retaliation for a future attack by North Korea.
« The United States and [South Korea] made it clear that any nuclear attack from the DPRK would result in an overwhelming and decisive response,” officials said in a joint statement, also expressing « serious concerns about the DPRK’s escalation and destabilizing messages related to the use of nuclear weapons, including its adoption of the new nuclear policy law. »
Late last week, the North clarified its nuclear weapons policy in new legislation, saying it would launch a nuclear strike « automatically and immediately » if ever his own arsenal was threatened, although he stressed that he only kept the bomb for defensive purposes.
In response to the law, Washington reiterated its “an unwavering and unwavering commitment to leveraging the full range of its military capabilities” – including « nuclear, conventional, missile defense and other advanced non-nuclear capabilities » – to defend South Korea, adding that this « continue to deploy and exercise strategic assets in the region. »
The United States has long maintained a force of around 30,000 troops in South Korea and regularly holds joint drills with Seoul, which Pyongyang has repeatedly denounced as provocative, seeing them as rehearsals for an invasion.
Western officials have predicted an imminent North Korean nuclear test in recent months, saying the military was preparing to hold its first trial since 2017 despite no official announcement. However, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently pledged to advance his country’s atomic arsenal. « at the fastest possible speed », and insisted that the military must be prepared for a nuclear deployment against « hostile » foreign powers « at any time. »
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US issues nuclear warning to North Korea
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