TOKYO (InTv) – To defend its allies Japan and South Korea, the United States will utilise all of its military capabilities, “including nuclear, conventional, and missile defence.” Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman cautioned North Korea on Tuesday not to escalate its provocations.
Sherman described North Korea’s recent firings of ballistic missiles and artillery as provocative military measures. They have been described by North Korea as “practise runs” for the use of tactical nuclear weapons.
“This is deeply reckless, dangerous, and disruptive,” Sherman told South Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyundong in Tokyo. The two officials met ahead of a three-way meeting on Wednesday with their Japanese colleague.
The three officials would be meeting for the second time in person since conservative South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol assumed office in May, which would indicate an easing in the tense relations between Japan and South Korea. After three-way meetings in Washington a year ago, the vice ministers from Japan and South Korea declined to take part in a joint news conference, leaving Sherman to address the media on his own.
READ ALSO: North Korea Launches Missiles Toward Sea As US Issues Nuclear Warning
North Korea needs to understand that the United States is “ironcladly committed” to ensuring the security of South Korea and Japan, according to Sherman.
Including nuclear, conventional, and missile defence capabilities, she added, “we will utilise the full range of U.S. defence capabilities to defend our friends.”
Cho expressed worry to Sherman during their conversations that a new nuclear weapons policy implemented by North Korea in September raises the likelihood of its arbitrary use of nuclear weapons.
On the Korean Peninsula, this is causing significant stress, according to Cho.
Takeo Mori, the vice foreign minister of Japan, and Sherman discussed a number of shared objectives, including the total denuclearization of North Korea and how to respond to China’s increasingly assertive moves in the region. Sherman met with Mori earlier on Tuesday.
Yasukazu Hamada, the defence minister of Japan, has stated that North Korea is thought to have succeeded in reducing the size of nuclear warheads while enhancing its missile capabilities greatly by varying its launch methodologies, making interceptions more challenging.
Additionally, North Korea may soon conduct a nuclear test, according to Japanese sources.
