USA and South Korea to discuss ‘all options’ to deal with North including NUCLEAR response

The Extended Deterrence Strategy (EDSCG) and Consultation Group will be held in Washington on Wednesday with diplomats and defence officials from both countries.

The US assured South Korea of providing both nuclear and conventional options to deter aggression by the North, it has been reported.

In a statement, the ministry said: “In the session this time, the two sides plan to discuss comprehensive deterrence against North Korea, including extended deterrence.”

The US keeps 28,500 in South Korea due to the 1950-53 Korean War in which there has never been a peace treaty but only a truce.

Both the US and South Korea agreed to the meeting in summit talks last June.

The EDSCG will be attended by the South’s Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam and Vice Defense Minister Suh Choo-suk.

Also, US’s deputy undersecretary of defence for policy David Trachtenberg will attend.

It comes as Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the international community needs to confront North Korea over its “illegal” nuclear weapons programme.He said: “North Korea’s illegal nuclear weapons programme is a threat to regional and global stability.

He said: “North Korea’s illegal nuclear weapons programme is a threat to regional and global stability.

“The international community must be united in its approach.

“Sanctions are biting but we need to maintain diplomatic pressure on Kim Jong-un’s regime.

“I welcome this opportunity to discuss with like-minded partners how to increase the pressure on the DPRK to change course.”

North Korea has escalated the development of its nuclear programme and has been conducting a series of tests with ever more powerful weaponry.

A recent report from the Kim Jong-un’s mouthpiece media claimed their nuclear programme guarantees “peace”.

It said: “The nuclear force of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is the powerful deterrent to the adventurous war gambles of the United States, disturber of global peace, and the treasured sword for safeguarding peace.”

Members of Trump’s administration are reportedly split on how to respond to the increasing weapons capabilities of Kim’s government.

Elements within the White House are pushing for a preemptive military strike against military targets to thwart the country’s nuclear capabilities before they are able to develop them to match their rhetoric.

North Korea said it was able to foil “sinister attempts” by the US to “stifle it by force” and realise a “wild ambition for world domination” thanks to its nukes.

The statement read: “The nuclear deterrent of the DPRK is the life and soul of the nation that cannot be bartered for anything.”