Pentagon declares US prepared to support South Korea with nuclear weapons
Washington is prepared to support Seoul using its nuclear arsenal, according to US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized on Wednesday that Washington and Seoul maintain “an unequivocal nuclear-based alliance.” He reiterated the United States' commitment to supporting South Korea with both nuclear and non-nuclear military capabilities.
This affirmation of support comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and just ahead of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test scheduled for Thursday. During a press briefing at the Pentagon alongside South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Austin announced plans for increased defense collaboration and large-scale military exercises between the two nations.
“I assured Minister Kim today that the United States remains fully committed to the defense of the ROK and our extended deterrence commitment remains ironclad,” Austin remarked. He noted that this commitment is underpinned by a comprehensive array of America’s conventional missile defense, nuclear, and advanced non-nuclear capabilities. Austin also mentioned that the US and South Korea would be resuming “large scale exercises” designed to enhance their combined readiness and interoperability.
In response to these developments, North Korea has accused Seoul and Washington of escalating tensions through their joint military drills, perceiving them as preparations for invasion. Earlier this month, North Korea took actions to sever vital transportation links with South Korea by destroying roads and railways.
Reports from Seoul indicated a possible ICBM launch by North Korea towards the East Sea. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un confirmed the missile test as a reaction to what he termed his adversaries' “dangerous nuclear alliance.”
“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea affirms that it will never change its course of strengthening its nuclear arsenal,” state-run news agency KCNA quoted Kim, who described the test as an “appropriate” action against threats posed by the perceived military maneuvers of its enemies.
In a related context, the US has accused North Korea of providing support to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Pentagon reports, North Korea has allegedly deployed 10,000 troops to Russia for training and potential action against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations about North Korean troop involvement.
In response to inquiries about the situation, Putin acknowledged a bilateral treaty signed between Moscow and Pyongyang that facilitates military cooperation, indicating that the extent of that collaboration is ultimately a decision for Russia and North Korea alone.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
This affirmation of support comes amid escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula and just ahead of North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile test scheduled for Thursday. During a press briefing at the Pentagon alongside South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Austin announced plans for increased defense collaboration and large-scale military exercises between the two nations.
“I assured Minister Kim today that the United States remains fully committed to the defense of the ROK and our extended deterrence commitment remains ironclad,” Austin remarked. He noted that this commitment is underpinned by a comprehensive array of America’s conventional missile defense, nuclear, and advanced non-nuclear capabilities. Austin also mentioned that the US and South Korea would be resuming “large scale exercises” designed to enhance their combined readiness and interoperability.
In response to these developments, North Korea has accused Seoul and Washington of escalating tensions through their joint military drills, perceiving them as preparations for invasion. Earlier this month, North Korea took actions to sever vital transportation links with South Korea by destroying roads and railways.
Reports from Seoul indicated a possible ICBM launch by North Korea towards the East Sea. North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un confirmed the missile test as a reaction to what he termed his adversaries' “dangerous nuclear alliance.”
“The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea affirms that it will never change its course of strengthening its nuclear arsenal,” state-run news agency KCNA quoted Kim, who described the test as an “appropriate” action against threats posed by the perceived military maneuvers of its enemies.
In a related context, the US has accused North Korea of providing support to Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to Pentagon reports, North Korea has allegedly deployed 10,000 troops to Russia for training and potential action against Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has neither confirmed nor denied these allegations about North Korean troop involvement.
In response to inquiries about the situation, Putin acknowledged a bilateral treaty signed between Moscow and Pyongyang that facilitates military cooperation, indicating that the extent of that collaboration is ultimately a decision for Russia and North Korea alone.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
