South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo said on Thursday (January 7) he discussed with U.S. counterpart Ash Carter North Korea’s latest nuclear test.
Han said Carter reaffirmed the ‘ironclad’ commitment to the South.
“Secretary Carter reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to the defence of the Republic of Korea, and that this commitment includes all aspects of the United States’ extended deterrence,” said Han at a briefing in Seoul.
The two defence chiefs had the discussion over the phone on Wednesday (January 6) some twelve hours after the first report of the North’s fourth nuclear test the same day.
“We agreed that the provocation would be an unacceptable and irresponsible provocation that threatens the peace and stability of the Korean peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region. We also agreed that North Korea’s provocations should have consequences,” he added.
North Korea said it successfully tested a miniaturised hydrogen nuclear bomb, prompting scepticism among experts and officials who doubt Pyongyang has achieved such a major advance in its strike capability. (Reuters)
