US pledges to support South Korea with nuclear capabilities

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared that Washington is ready to support Seoul with both nuclear and non-nuclear military capabilities.

During the 56th US-South Korea Security Consultations at the Pentagon on October 30, South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin agreed to implement a new regional cooperation framework across various areas, including maritime security, multilateral exercises, capacity building, technical cooperation, defense industry, and information sharing.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun held a press conference at the Pentagon on October 30, 2024.

According to RT, quoting Austin, to prevent and counter threats on the Korean Peninsula, the US and South Korea need to agree to maintain a common defense posture, participate in coordinated efforts, and respond closely.

"I assured Secretary Kim that the United States remains fully committed to defending South Korea and committed to expanding deterrence. That commitment is exercised by the full range of the United States' advanced conventional, nuclear, and non-nuclear missile defense capabilities," said Secretary Austin.

For his part, Minister Kim confirmed that the two sides plan to establish a Vice-Ministerial-level Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee in 2024 to research and apply advanced science and technology in the defense sector.

North Korea launches ICBM, Kim Jong-un affirms to strengthen nuclear arsenal

The new committee, called DSTEC, will explore ways to connect South Korea with several projects in Pillar 2 of the AUKUS (US-UK-Australia) trilateral partnership to accelerate emerging and groundbreaking military capabilities.

In another development, the South Korean Foreign Ministry announced on October 31st an export control order on materials necessary for the production of solid-fuel missiles, aimed at curbing North Korea's ballistic missile development.

The South Korean Foreign Ministry announced that export controls would include 15 items that North Korea is unlikely to produce on its own, such as aircraft fuselages and combustion tubes.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/my-cam-ket-ho-tro-han-quoc-bang-nang-luc-hat-nhan-185241031165115695.htm