News   /   Koreas

S. Korea, US to hold nuclear tabletop drills amid tensions on Korean Peninsula

This handout photo taken on August 25, 2019 and provided by the South Korean Navy shows special forces participating in a military drill at the easternmost islets of Dokdo. (By AFP)

Amid growing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, South Korea and the United States have announced tabletop exercises to be held next month aimed at countering North Korea.

Officials in both countries on Wednesday said they are in talks to improve joint nuclear planning and implementation, boost information sharing and launch tabletop exercises.

"We're planning to hold tabletop exercises in February between defense officials on operating means of extended deterrence under the scenario of North Korea's nuclear attacks," South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup told a news conference in Seoul on Wednesday.

In May, militaries of the two countries will stage separate tabletop exercises for the first time, which will be "far more concrete and substantive" than the February programmers for policymakers, Lee said.

He also stated the allies will scale up annual joint field training this year, adding that Washington is willing to "drastically expand" the scope of sensitive information to be shared and to "reflect much more" of Seoul's views in planning and implementation.

"There is a shared need for it between the two sides, given that North Korea's nuclear threat has become serious not only to South Korea but also to the United States," he was quoted as saying.

The remarks came shortly after the defense and foreign ministries held a New Year policy briefing for President Yoon Suk-yeol, focusing on ways to ramp up South Korea's capability to fend off the North's evolving nuclear and missile threats.

US and South Korean officials have warned the North could be preparing for its first test of a nuclear device since 2017.

Meanwhile, Pyongyang has been striving to secure its capacity to strike anywhere in the United States. Last year, nuclear-armed North Korea launched an unprecedented number of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the US mainland.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un recently called for the "exponential" increase of the nation's nuclear force during a recent plenary meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party. Kim reiterated the need to push ahead with the country's nuclear and missile development program, describing it as a deterrent tool to defend the nation against its enemies.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
Press TV News Roku