South Korean president evokes joint nuclear exercises between Seoul and Washington

Joint military exercises between the two countries have been limited since the start of the pandemic. But recent Missiles of North Korea oblige the South Korean leader to change strategy.

MO12345LEMONDE with AFP

Seoul and Washington discuss joint exercises involving American nuclear means to counter the growing threats of North Korea endowed with nuclear weapons, reported South Korean President Yoon Seok-Youl.

In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, published Monday January 2, the South Korean president admits that “the American nuclear umbrella” and its “extended deterrence” are no longer enough to reassure the South Koreans.

“Nuclear weapons belong to the United States, but preparation, information sharing, exercises and training must be carried out jointly by South Korea and the United States,” said Yoon Seok- Youl, adding that Washington welcomed this “rather positively” idea.

These words are published the day after the call of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to “the exponential increase” of the nuclear arsenal of his country, according to the official agency KCNA.

Missile fire record

The Head of State also announced that the North was going to develop new intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) to deal with what he calls hostility from the United States and South Korea.

The year 2022 was marked by a record number of missile fire by Pyongyang. The North has carried out almost every month for armaments, including the most advanced ICBM shooting.

Three short-range ballistic missiles were still pulled by North Korea on Saturday, and another Sunday at dawn. 2> the apprehension of a north-Korean nuclear test

Under the presidency of Mr. Yoon, South Korea has strengthened its joint military exercises with the United States, which had been reduced during the pandemic or interrupted under its predecessor against the backdrop of diplomatic talks ultimately unsuccessful with the North.

Since the failure of intercreen negotiations in 2019, Kim has redoubled efforts to develop his prohibited armaments programs.