US, South Korea sign renewed North Korean defense strategy
- 11 years ago
The U.S. and South Korea have signed a new strategy to deter North Korea's possible use of nuclear weapons.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said the new strategy comes amid growing threats from the North.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENCE SECRETARY CHUCK HAGEL SAYING:
"Of particular concern are North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, its proliferation activities, and its chemical weapons. There should be no doubt that any North Korean use of chemical weapons would be completely unacceptable."
Hagel and South Korean Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin also agreed to review the timing of the transfer of war-time command control on the Korean peninsula from U.S. forces to South Korean.
The transfer is set to happen in December of 2015 but there have been calls in South Korea to postpone it while North Korea continues to push ahead with its nuclear weapons and long range missile programmes.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said the new strategy comes amid growing threats from the North.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. DEFENCE SECRETARY CHUCK HAGEL SAYING:
"Of particular concern are North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, its proliferation activities, and its chemical weapons. There should be no doubt that any North Korean use of chemical weapons would be completely unacceptable."
Hagel and South Korean Defence Minister Kim Kwan-jin also agreed to review the timing of the transfer of war-time command control on the Korean peninsula from U.S. forces to South Korean.
The transfer is set to happen in December of 2015 but there have been calls in South Korea to postpone it while North Korea continues to push ahead with its nuclear weapons and long range missile programmes.