The White House issued a rare threat on Saturday in an effort to enhance deterrence, promising an overwhelming military response to any attack by North Korea.
The announcement came in a joint statement at the conclusion of the second U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) meeting in Washington D.C. on December 15, 2023.
“The United States reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK, backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities including nuclear,” the statement said. “Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of the Kim regime, and the U.S. side reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.”
The U.S. and South Korea said that the NCG has “deepened” the ties between the two countries as they seek to deter an increasingly belligerent North Korea.
“NCG Principals reviewed the enhanced visibility of strategic assets to bolster extended deterrence, including the ballistic missile submarine the USS KENTUCKY port visit to Busan in July, B-52 strategic bomber flyover and landing on the Korean Peninsula in October, and joint observation of an ICBM test launch in November, as well as discussing future plans to demonstrate a strengthening of deterrence,” the statement added.
The statement comes after North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un has had his country in recent months conduct simulated “scorched earth” nuclear missile strikes against South Korea.