In a joint US-South Korean statement on Saturday, the United States warned North Korea that any nuclear attack against the nation or its allies is considered unacceptable and would lead to the end of the Kim regime.
The statement, issued after the second U.S.-Republic of Korea Nuclear Consultative Group meeting in Washington on Friday, emphasized that any nuclear attack by North Korea against South Korea would be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.
Both the United States and South Korea are reportedly planning to develop joint guidelines on nuclear defense strategy by the middle of next year. They aim to establish an integrated system to deter North Korea’s nuclear weapons, including sharing sensitive information related to North Korea’s nuclear weapons, consultation processes during a nuclear crisis, and real-time communication channels between the leaders of both countries.
The guideline is expected to include nuclear operation exercises in next year’s joint military drills. North Korea has been a source of international concern due to its development and testing of ballistic missiles with the potential to reach targets in South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. mainland.
There are concerns that North Korea may conduct a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) shortly.
