The US and South Korean governments have decided to exercise all strategic resources including diplomatic, informational, military and economic to bolster their deterrence posture in the Korean Peninsula.
The decision was taken at an Under Secretary-level meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG).
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The move comes close on the heels of an “irreversible” law adopted by North Korea terming itself a nuclear weapons state.
The new law allows the country to use pre-emptive nuclear strikes to protect itself.
Expressing grave concerns over the latest development, the US and South Korea stated that any nuclear attack by North Korea will result in an “overwhelming and decisive response”.
In this regard, the US promised to deploy the full range of its military capabilities including nuclear and missile defence to support South Korea.
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By GlobalDataThe two sides also agreed to continue close consultation over US nuclear and missile defence policy.
Additionally, the meeting discussed combined training of F-35A fighter jets held in July, and deployment of Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group in the region.
The two countries, in a statement, vowed to “promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including through bilateral exercises and training as well as trilateral and multilateral cooperation with partners throughout the region”.
The statement further said that through advanced information sharing and training, the alliance will ensure readiness against nuclear and non-nuclear threats.
They agreed on the importance of upholding and fully implementing all relevant UNSC resolutions.
Earlier this year, North Korea test fired a suspected ballistic missile to further strengthen its nuclear arsenal.
