S.Korea, US commit to strengthening extended deterrence

WASHINGTON: South Korea Foreign Minister Park Jin said after meeting US top diplomat Antony Blinken on Friday February 3 that Seoul and Washington were committed to strengthening extended deterrence in relation to North Korea.

South Korea has sought assurances over extended deterrence due to concerns over Pyongyang's increasing missile and nuclear capabilities, as well as the ability of the US military to deter attacks on US allies.

The US and the ROK Republic of Korea will continue their watertight coordination to achieve real peace on the Korean Peninsula, Park said at a joint news conference at the State Department in Washington.

We are committed to strengthening extended deterrence while maintaining a robust combined defence posture. Any provocations by North Korea will be met with a firm and united response. Park and Blinken's meeting followed a visit by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Seoul this week, where he pledged to expand military drills and boost nuclear deterrence planning to counter North Korea's weapons development and prevent a war.