Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: The Pentagon said that Korean and United States (US) forces have started a simulated “table-top” drills that focuses on North Korea that could detonate a nuclear weapon.
Last year, North Korea launched an unprecedented number of missiles including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the US mainland. On Monday, it launched two more missiles into the Pacific Ocean.
US and South Korean officials have warned that North Kores could be preparing for its first test of a nuclear device since 2017.
This was the 8th South Korean and US deterrence strategy committee table-top drills, known as DSC TTX, and the first edition, since they agreed the previous year to hold the drills annually.
“Given the DPRK’s recent aggressive nuclear policies and advancements in nuclear capabilities, the (tabletop) scenario focused on the possibility of the DPRK’s use of nuclear weapons,” a Pentagon said, using the acronym of the country’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
US and South Korea alliance
“South Korea and the US delegations focused their discussion on the allies’ deterrence to maintain stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula and potential options for responding to DPRK’s nuclear arms use,” the Pentagon statement added but didn’t say specifically what scenarios were played out.
Seoul’s defence ministry said that the allies reaffirmed their readiness for any North Korean nuclear weapons threat and agreed to continue reinforcing intelligence sharing, consultation, joint planning and execution of extended deterrence.
