Washington announces its intention to activate its nuclear defenses

Washington announces its intention to

activate its nuclear defenses

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Washington would put its missile and nuclear defenses on alert to protect its allies, Japan and South Korea, from North Korea's threats.

During today's tripartite meeting with Japanese and South Korean counterparts in Tokyo, Sherman added that North Korea's repeated ballistic missile launches in recent weeks were a serious provocation, irresponsible action and destabilizing.

This is the second meeting of the three officials since South Korea's conservative president, Yun Sok-yul, took office in May, indicating improved relations between Japan and South Korea.

Last year

Japan and South Korea's deputy ministers refused to attend a joint press conference after tripartite talks in Washington, leaving the scene for Sherman.

North Korea must recognize that Washington is committed to ensuring the security of South Korea and Japan, and will not relinquish its responsibilities to its allies.

Her South Korean counterpart

Zhou Hyong Dong

expressed his country's concern over the dangers of sophisticated nuclear weapons announced by North Korea in September.

Sherman stressed

• the need to strengthen the Japanese-American alliance

• which aims to denuclearize North Korea

• and to confront China's escalating threats in the region.

Japan's Defence Minister

Yasukazu Hamada, stated earlier that North Korea had developed its missile capabilities by miniaturizing nuclear warheads, increasing their range and difficulty intercepting them.

Seoul allocates $21.1 billion

to deter nuclear and missile threats to its northern neighbour (photo)

Yonhap reported that South Korea plans to allocate $21.1 billion to establish a triple deterrence system over the next 5 years to counter nuclear and missile threats to its northern neighbor.

The South Korean government plans to allocate 30.5 trillion won ($ 21.1 billion) to establish a three-pronged deterrent system for 5 years beginning in 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Defense.

According to the same source

the system consists of the "Pre-emptive Strike Platform", the massive Korean punishment and retaliation, a programme targeting the enemy's emergency command, and the Korean air and missile defence system. "

South Korea's

• Ministry of Defence will allocate approximately $5.92 billion

• in 40 defence projects for the murder chain, $5.8 billion

• in 18 defence projects for the Korean air and missile defence system

and $3.39 billion in 9 defence projects for massive Korean punishment and retaliation.

Data showed that a total of $9.79 billion was spent on 34 defence projects, including the purchase of the F-35 a fighter jet during 2015 and 2022.