US Department of Defense "Concerns Over North Korea's 7th Nuclear Test... Cooperation with South Korea"

"China, South Korea, Japan, and Indo-Pacific Allies Cooperate to Defend Against Taiwan Invasion"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Haeyoung] The U.S. Department of Defense expressed concern over the possibility of North Korea conducting its 7th nuclear test and stated on the 24th (local time) that it will continue close cooperation with allies including South Korea.

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the Department of Defense, said in a briefing that day, "We are concerned about North Korea's preparations for its 7th nuclear test. This is an act that undermines regional security, and we are monitoring it." He reaffirmed the existing stance on the possibility of North Korea's nuclear test, saying, "We are working closely with our allies and partners."

When asked whether the U.S. wants South Korea to take action in the event of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, Ryder responded, "The U.S. Forces Korea are there to protect South Korea together with our allies." While he declined to hypothetically answer the situation of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, he added, "We maintain various military forces in the Indo-Pacific region, including U.S. Forces Korea." He emphasized, "Therefore, we will continue cooperation with South Korea, Japan, and other allies and partners to protect a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Earlier, North Korea provoked tensions by launching numerous ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), last year and completed preparations for its 7th nuclear test. The Strategic and Security Research Institute of Tsinghua University in China recently forecasted in its '2023 Outlook on External Security Risks for China' report that North Korea may proceed with the 7th nuclear test this year, and South Korea may respond by deploying additional THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) systems.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.