WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States has warned North Korea that any nuclear attack against the country or its allies would be “unacceptable” and would result in “the end” of Kim Jong Un’s regime, according to a joint U.S. statement and South Korea.
“The US side reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against South Korea would be met with a swift, overwhelming and decisive response,” the statement said.
The second U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) met in Washington on Friday for discussions on nuclear deterrence, part of a commitment by the two countries to share more information on planning in the event of conflict with North Korea.
Pyongyang has developed and tested a range of ballistic missiles that can hit targets in South Korea, Japan and the US mainland.
Kim Tae-hyo, South Korea’s deputy national security adviser, said Friday that North Korea could test an intercontinental ballistic missile this month, considered a nuclear threat regardless of its range, because it can transport a nuclear warhead.
The third GCN will meet in Korea next summer.
(Reporting Lucia Mutikani and Steve Holland; written by Daniel Wallis and Diane Craft, French version Benjamin Mallet)
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