In a meeting between US President Joe Biden and South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol, the United States pledged to provide South Korea with more information on its nuclear planning regarding any potential conflict with North Korea.
This decision comes amidst growing concerns over North Korea’s expanding missile and bomb capabilities. Reuters reported that the meeting also included a renewed commitment from Seoul to not pursue a nuclear bomb on its own.
The talks between the two leaders covered various issues, such as North Korea, trade, semiconductor chips, and the Ukraine war. Yoon stated during a joint press conference that the two countries had agreed to hold immediate bilateral presidential consultations if North Korea were to launch a nuclear attack, promising a swift and decisive response using the full force of the alliance, including the United States’ nuclear weapons.
Joe Biden reiterated that the US had offered to hold talks with North Korea over its nuclear and missile programs, but these efforts were ignored by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The US remains committed to diplomatic engagement with North Korea, but it will continue to prioritize the security of its allies, including South Korea, in the region.