The United States is fully committed to the defense of South Korea and is ready to use any means, including nuclear weapons, to do so, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced in Washington on October 30 at a joint press conference with his South Korean counterpart Kim Yong-hyun.
He emphasized that US commitments to enhanced deterrence remain intact. Austin clarified that they are "reinforced by the full range of American defenses: conventional missile systems, nuclear and advanced non-nuclear weapons."
At the same time, the head of the Pentagon announced the resumption of large-scale military exercises with South Korea, which, according to him, "will significantly strengthen the combat capabilities of both countries." Lloyd Austin and Kim Yong-hyun also called for the withdrawal of North Korean units from Russia.
According to Austin, Washington "will continue to work with allies and partners to deter Russia from using these troops in combat," but, according to him, there is a high probability that Moscow will not give up its intention. In turn, Kim Yong-hyun warned that the DPRK troops possible participation in the war against Ukraine "could lead to an escalation of security threats on the Korean Peninsula."
This is due to the fact that, in return for the use of its units, Pyongyang will "highly likely" request technologies from Moscow to support the plans to replenish the arsenal of the DPRK.
