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NEWS | Jan. 6, 2016

Pentagon statement on North Korean actions

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following statement:

 

Today, Jan. 6, U.S. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Republic of Korea

(ROK) Minister of National Defense Han Min-koo spoke by phone to discuss

potential alliance responses to the recent apparent North Korean nuclear

test.  Secretary Carter and Minister Han agreed that any such test would be

an unacceptable and irresponsible provocation and is both a flagrant

violation of international law and a threat to the peace and stability of

the Korean peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region.

 

Secretary Carter reaffirmed the ironclad commitment of the United States to

the defense of the ROK, and that this commitment includes all aspects of the

United States' extended deterrence. Minister Han emphasized the strength of

the U.S.-ROK alliance and its vital role in assuring peace and stability on

the Korean Peninsula and across the Asia-Pacific. Carter and Han agreed that

North Korea's provocations should have consequences.

 

The secretary and minister reaffirmed that the international community does

not and will not accept North Korea as a nuclear state, and pledged that

both sides would coordinate appropriate alliance responses to these

provocations. They also agreed to the importance of close coordination with

the international community and regional partners in condemning this action.

 

Prior to Secretary Carter's call with the minister, he received a

situational update from Gen.  Curtis Scaparrotti, commander, U.S. Forces

Korea.

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