The United States is ready to support South Korea with nuclear weapons, according to the Department of Defense(DoD), citing the "unequivocal nuclear-based alliance" between Washington and Seoul.
"I assured [South Korean Defense] Minister Kim [Yong Hyun] today that the U.S. remains fully committed to the defense of the ROK [Republic of Korea], and our extended deterrence remains ironclad," U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during an Oct. 30 press conference.
"That commitment is backed by the full range of America's conventional missile defense, nuclear and advanced non-nuclear capabilities. The U.S. and South Korea will be returning to 'large scale' exercises and strengthening our combined readiness and our interoperability."
A day after Austin gave his remarks, Seoul reported a possible intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch by North Korea toward the East Sea. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un confirmed that Pyongyang indeed launched an ICBM in response to the Washington-Seoul alliance.
"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) affirms that it will never change its course of strengthening its nuclear arsenal," the North Korean leader said as per the state-run Korean Central News Agency. "The test was an appropriate response to the enemies' dangerous nuclear alliance-strengthening maneuvers and various adventurous military activities threatening Pyongyang's safety."
The DPRK has blamed combined military drills by its southern neighbor and the U.S. for the rising tensions in the region. According to Pyongyang, the exercises serve as rehearsals for a potential invasion. Earlier in October, North Korea destroyed roads and railways connecting the two Koreas – cutting potential ground routes into the North.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has accused Pyongyang of aiding Moscow in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. According to the DoD, the DPRK has sent over 10,000 troops to Russia for training and potential deployment against Kyiv.
Korean Peninsula the new powder keg that could kick off WWIII
Russian President Vladimir Putin has neither confirmed nor denied the claims made by Ukraine and its backers about the North Korean troops. Pressed further about the claims, he noted that Moscow and Pyongyang have signed a bilateral treaty which provides for military cooperation. Whether this entails more than joint drills and training is up to the two nations involved, Putin pointed out.
"Photos are a serious thing. If there are photos, then they reflect something. As for our relations with the DPRK: As you know … our agreement on strategic partnership was ratified. There is Article Four [of that strategic partnership treaty]," the Russian leader said.
"We do not doubt that the North Korean leadership takes our agreements seriously. What and how we will do within the framework of this article is our business."
Signs of the Times remarked that "North Korea's new relationship with Russia is a game changer." The outlet also commented on Washington's approach, ironically writing that "nothing compares to the threat of next door nuclear weapons and on-site military drills to ease tension and create alliances."
Meanwhile, SHTF Plan's Mac Slavo pointed out that "the media has been a little more focused on 'nuclear' stories as of late," given that the U.S. has accused North Korea of helping Russia. He nevertheless expressed hope that such stories are merely a coincidence.
Slavo continued that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "is continually trying to convince the world to 'allow' him to use long-range missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. This is a red line Russia has warned the West not to cross, while simultaneously allowing all others to be blurred."
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