The head of the Pentagon allowed the use of nuclear weapons to protect South Korea

The head of the Pentagon allowed the use of nuclear weapons to protect South Korea


The United States is ready to use conventional and nuclear weapons to protect South Korea. This was stated by Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin at a joint press conference with South Korean Minister of National Defense Lee Jong Sop in Seoul. Broadcast was conducted on the US Department of Defense website.

"The United States is firmly committed to an extended deterrence commitment that involves the use of the full range of US military capabilities, including conventional and nuclear weapons, as well as missile defense," Austin said.

The head of the Pentagon pointed to an “unprecedented” number of provocations by the DPRK in 2022. According to him, such actions will destabilize the situation in the region. Austin also recalled that there are about 28,500 US troops in South Korea. He noted that this confirms the desire of the United States "to maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula."

The situation in the region escalated, including against the backdrop of joint exercises between the United States and South Korea in the summer and autumn of 2022. The DPRK Foreign Ministry warned of the threat of a "second Korean war", and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un declared about the readiness of the republic for any crises, including military clashes with the United States. South Korea insists on the existence of a threat to the country's security from the DPRK.

The military of the DPRK repeatedly fired missiles towards South Korea. In particular, in November 2022, against the background of the October exercises of the United States and South Korea, the Republic launched at least ten missiles of various types towards the Sea of ​​Japan. South Korean media claimed that 2022 was a record year for the number of DPRK ballistic missiles launched - more than 65 missiles.

In addition, in December 2022, South Korea accused the DPRK of violating the republic's airspace. Then to the country invaded five North Korean drones.

The Korean Ministry of Defense also warned North Korea that an attempt to use nuclear weapons will lead to the end of the current political regime in North Korea. The department called on the DPRK to stop nuclear development and think about denuclearization.

Yonhap Agency reportedthat the DPRK may have from 15 to 60 nuclear warheads. Due to the risk of a nuclear threat from the DPRK, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol declared about possible joint exercises involving US nuclear forces.



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