Pentagon: US ready to use conventional and nuclear weapons to protect South Korea

The United States is committed to using conventional and nuclear weapons to defend South Korea when necessary, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a press conference in Seoul.

Lloyd Austin, head of the Pentagon: “Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea remains unwavering. The United States is firmly committed to its extended deterrence commitment, which involves the use of the full range of US military capabilities, including conventional and nuclear weapons, as well as missile defense.”

Austin noted in his speech that North Korea committed an “unprecedented” number of provocations last year. Washington and Seoul condemn these “dangerous actions”, which, according to the parties, will destabilize the situation in the region, the head of the Pentagon added.

He also said that 28,500 US troops are now in South Korea, one of the largest US military contingents abroad.

Lloyd Austin: “This demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula. Over the past year, our countries have made significant progress in deepening cooperation.”