U.S. Refuses To Commit What Strategic And Missile Defense Assets It Will Send To South Korea

Family members disembark from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter Oct. 30 after a mock evacuation flight during Courageous Channel at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2015. Army.mil

Defense News: US Noncommittal on Strategic, Missile Defense Assets for Korea

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and State Department remained careful Thursday when discussing whether strategic assets or missile defense systems could be moved closer to South Korea, but would not rule out anything when discussing US actions in response to Tuesday’s North Korean nuclear test.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters that the relationship between the US and the Republic of Korea remains “iron-clad,” a phrase he used four times when discussing the US willingness to protect its longstanding ally.

He also said the US would “consider every possible option that should be considered to further the defense of South Korea.”

However, just how far the US is willing to go is unclear.

WNU Editor: This is not the time for the U.S. to be wishy-washy when it comes to the Korean peninsula .... our relationship is "iron-clad" but we will not say how far that commitment will go .... sighhh .... that is not the message that they should be sending. And while the U.S. is communicating their lack of commitment to defend South Korea, the Pentagon is making it very clear on what they will bring out if the situation blows up into a war .... The U.S. has a plan to evacuate troops’ families and pets from Korea in case of nuclear attack (Military Times).

After North Korea's Nuclear Test South Korea Now Wants U.S. Strategic Weapons

U.S. President Barack Obama visits U.S. military personnel stationed at Observation Post Ouellette along the Demilitarized Zone which borders North and South Korea, outside Seoul. 2012 REUTERS/Larry Downing

Reuters: South Korea seeks U.S. strategic weapons after North's nuclear test

South Korea is in talks with the United States to deploy U.S. strategic weapons on the Korean peninsula, a South Korean military official said on Thursday, a day after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear device.

South Korea also said it would resume propaganda broadcasts by loudspeaker into North Korea from Friday, which is likely to infuriate its isolated rival, in response to its fourth nuclear test.

The United States and weapons experts voiced doubts the device North Korea tested on Wednesday was a hydrogen bomb, but calls mounted for more sanctions against it for its rogue nuclear program.

The underground explosion angered China, which was not given prior notice although it is North Korea's main ally, pointing to a strain in their ties.

WNU Editor: As I had mentioned yesterday .... expect a huge arms build-up .... North Korea's Nuclear Test Will Result In A Missile Defense Build-up By Japan And South Korea.