Korea-U.S. Security

[Anchor Lead]

In our first story, Korean and American defense ministers have agreed to review ways to execute the permanent rotational deployment of American strategic weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his American counterpart Ashton Carter agreed at the 48th Security Consultative Meeting to strengthen America's extended deterrence capabilities. The aim is to use extended deterrent means provided by the United States in a more timely and effective manner against the rising nuclear and missile threats from North Korea. The two defense chiefs noted in a joint statement that additional measures will be reviewed so that North Korea would not doubt the strong resolve of ROK-U.S. alliance. Those measures will include alternately arranging American strategic bombers or nuclear-powered submarines around the Korean Peninsula so as to produce the effect of permanent presence from rotational deployment.

[Soundbite] Han Min-koo(South Korean Defense Minister) : "We discussed many plans, including the permanent rotational deployment of strategic assets. All these plans will be examined in the future."

The American Secretary of Defense warned in the joint statement that the ROK-U.S. alliance would repel any attack on the two countries and North Korea will face effective and overwhelming countermeasures if the regime dares to use nuclear weapons. The two countries also agreed to strengthen bilateral naval cooperation against threats on the sea, such as North Korea's submarine-launched ballistic missiles.