US, South Korea planning 'coordinated response' to potential North Korea 'nuclear use'

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US and South Korea are working on a "coordinated response" if North Korea carries out a nuclear attack, the National Security Council said Tuesday.

A spokesperson who spoke to Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity confirmed the planning, maintaining that the allies are not discussing joint nuclear exercises.

"The ROK is a non-nuclear weapons state. The United States is fully committed to our alliance with the ROK and providing extended deterrence through the full range of U.S. defense capabilities," the spokesperson said in an emailed statement, referring to South Korea.

US President Joe Biden and South Korean President and Yoon Suk Yeol tasked their teams with planning "an effective coordinated response to a range of scenarios, including nuclear use by North Korea."

"That is what the teams are working on," said the spokesperson.

Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, has ordered the “exponential expansion” of the country’s nuclear arsenal after Pyongyang fired a missile on the first day of 2023, state media reported Sunday. Kim previously vowed to bolster his country's “self-reliant defense capability” in 2023.

Pyongyang fired three short-range missiles Saturday into the Sea of Japan, according to the South Korean military.

A senior administration official separately said the North's recent actions and statements "have caused increasing concern" in Washington and Seoul, noting the countries "are working together to strengthen extended deterrence."

That includes table-top exercises, which simulate emergency scenarios, "that will explore our joint response to a range of scenarios, including nuclear use by" North Korea.

"This is consistent with President Yoon’s comment that the United States and the ROK will expand planning, information sharing, exercises, and training," said the official.​​​​​​​