US threatens 'overwhelming' response if North Korea uses nuclear weapons

The United States has declared that it is ready to respond with full military force to any nuclear attack from North Korea targeting South Korea.

"The US side has reaffirmed that it will respond promptly, overwhelmingly and decisively to any nuclear attack from North Korea targeting South Korea," Kim Tae-hyo, Deputy National Security Adviser of South Korea, announced on December 16 the results of the second round of dialogue of the US-South Korea Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG).

This content was stated in a joint statement after the NCG meeting at the Pentagon, which ended on December 15.

The United States pledged to use the full range of military capabilities, including nuclear capabilities, to defend its allies. In addition, the two countries will study the possibility of utilizing non-nuclear military assets in South Korea to support the United States' nuclear capabilities, thereby establishing an integrated deterrence network.

"At the second round of meetings, the two countries approved an action plan for the next six months. The US and South Korea are moving towards a unified and expanded system for deterrence," Kim said.

North Korea's Hwasong-18 missile during its launch on July 12. Photo: AFP

Seoul and Washington agreed to complete a guideline document on planning and operating a "common nuclear strategy" by mid-2024, including deterrence capabilities against North Korea and nuclear threats.

According to Kim Tae-hyo, the document will include procedures for sharing sensitive nuclear information, establishing a relevant security system, consultation procedures, and a leadership-level communication channel in the event of a nuclear crisis. The document will also outline a specific crisis response plan and risk reduction strategy.

North Korea's parliament in September unanimously approved a policy of building up the country's nuclear forces in its constitution. Kim Jong-un called for accelerating the modernization of nuclear weapons to maintain a strategic deterrent advantage, while criticizing the trilateral alliance between the United States, Japan and South Korea as "the Asian version of NATO."

Exactly a year earlier, North Korea had passed a law authorizing a preemptive nuclear strike “automatically and immediately to destroy hostile forces” if another country posed an imminent threat to Pyongyang. Kim Jong-un then declared North Korea’s nuclear weapons status “irreversible.”

Thanh Danh (According to Reuters, Yonhap )

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