LOC13:20
10:20 GMT
TOKYO, April 28 (KUNA) -- The US plans to deploy its "strategic" weapons in South Korea on a regular basis in order to thwart North Korea's threats under an agreement between the allies, Seoul's Yonhap News Agency reported Friday.
The two sides agreed to explore the "full range of available options, including strengthening the regular deployment of US strategic assets, to bolster the alliance's ability to deter and, where necessary, respond to North Korean nuclear, weapons of mass destruction, and ballistic missile use," they said in a joint press statement.
It summarized the outcome of the two-day Korea-US Integrated Defense Dialogue meeting held in Washington DC Around 28,500 American troops are stationed in South Korea. US strategic assets refer to high-profile weapons usually from its bases in Guam, Japan or the mainland, such as B-2, B-1B and B-52 bombers as well as F-35 fighter jets and aircraft carriers.
The allies also highlighted the importance of deploying an advanced US missile defense system, known as the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), on the peninsula as a "purely defensive measure focused solely on North Korea," read the statement.
The two sides also urged concerned parties to actively address the "root cause" that makes the deployment of THAAD in Korea necessary, apparently referring to the North's continued nuclear and missile programs.
The US Forces Korea has already installed key components of the THAAD system at the deployment site in the southeastern town of Seongju. Defense officials said it would soon be operational. (end)
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