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06:25 GMT
TOKYO, Dec 13 (KUNA) -- South Korea and the United States on Monday began
talks on security issues including a plan to set up a joint committee to
effectively deter threats from North Korea's nuclear programs and other
weapons of mass destruction, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Monday's meeting of the Security Policy Initiative (SPI) forum comes as
tensions run high on the Korean Peninsula following the North's deadly
bombardment last month of a South Korean island, which killed four people.
Deputy Defense Minister Chang Kwang-il and his US counterpart, Michael
Schiffer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Asia and Pacific security
affairs, were leading the SPI talks in Seoul, the report said, adding that the
two sides plan to sign terms of reference to systemize the Extended Deterrence
Policy Committee.
Extended deterrence means the US can provide tactical and strategic nuclear
weapons, conventional strike and missile defense capabilities to defend South
Korea in case of an attack from North Korea.
It is the first time for the US to create such a committee with a non-NATO
ally.
During the SPI talks, the allies are expected to reaffirm their commitment
to respond firmly should North Korea strike the South again, as it did on
November 23 when it shelled the southern border island of Yeonpyeong.
The bombardment also injured 18 people and destroyed dozens of homes.
It was the first attack by the North on a civilian area on the South's soil
since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
South Korea and the US have held SPI talks regularly since 2005 to discuss
a wide range of military and defense issues.
The US has about 28,500 troops in South Korea to help defend its ally
against North Korea. (end)
mk.ris
KUNA 130925 Dec 10NNNN