South Korea and the U.S. "Nuclear Attack Will Lead to the End of Kim Jong-un Regime" (Comprehensive)

4th Korea-US EDSCG Held in Seoul on the 15th
"All Diplomatic, Intelligence, Military, and Economic Means Will Be Fully Mobilized"
US: "Any Attack on Allies Will Not Be Tolerated"

The Republic of Korea and the United States strongly warned that there will be a "corresponding price" for the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Regarding the escalating nuclear and missile threats from North Korea, they announced a policy to suppress them by mobilizing all means across diplomacy, intelligence, military, and economic sectors.

In particular, they directly criticized Russia, targeting it for protecting North Korea from paying the price for violating United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and issued a stern warning message that a nuclear attack by North Korea would lead to the end of the Kim Jong-un regime.

Our side's Jang Hojin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Shin Beomcheol, Vice Minister of National Defense, along with the U.S. side's Bonnie Jenkins, Deputy Under Secretary of State for Arms Control, and Sasha Baker, Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, are shaking hands after the 4th Korea-U.S. Extended Deterrence Strategy Committee (EDSCG) meeting on the afternoon of the 15th at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jang Ho-jin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated in opening remarks at the joint ROK-US press conference following the 4th Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) meeting held in Seoul on the 15th, "The military cooperation between Russia and North Korea is a serious violation of UNSC resolutions." The meeting was attended by Vice Minister Jang Ho-jin and Vice Minister Shin Beom-chul from the Ministry of National Defense on the Korean side, and Deputy Assistant Secretary Jenkins and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Sasha Baker from the U.S. Department of Defense as chief representatives. This was the first time the EDSCG meeting was held in Korea.

Vice Minister Jang said, "We agreed that Russia, as a party to the non-proliferation regime and a permanent member of the Security Council, must act responsibly," and warned, "We will closely share information between Korea and the U.S. to ensure that a clear price is paid."

Boni Jenkins, U.S. Department of State Deputy Assistant Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, also condemned "the increased political cooperation between Russia and North Korea," saying, "At this meeting, we discussed Russia's promotion of North Korea's illegal nuclear program and North Korea's support for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine."

The ROK-US alliance evaluated the threats posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction (WMD), as well as the regional situation, and discussed diplomatic, economic, and military cooperation to strengthen extended deterrence operations. Vice Minister Shin Beom-chul emphasized, "The ROK and the U.S. will utilize all means, including diplomacy, intelligence, military, and economic measures, to suppress North Korea's nuclear and missile threats."

Direct Hit on Russia Protecting North Korea: "End of Kim Jong-un Regime"

Sasha Baker, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy, Explaining the Results of the ROK-US Extended Deterrence Strategy Consultation [Photo by Yonhap News]

In the joint press release summarizing the meeting results, the ROK and the U.S. stated, "We express the strongest concern regarding cooperation between North Korea and Russia that does not comply with UNSC resolutions," and "We discussed the implications related to the threats posed by North Korea's attempts to advance its illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programs and its support for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine."

They further pointed out that the escalating nuclear and missile threats from North Korea "are partly encouraged by third parties protecting North Korea so that it does not have to pay the price for blatant violations of Security Council resolutions." This is interpreted as targeting the attitude of Russia and China, permanent members of the Security Council, who have not cooperated in discussions on additional sanctions despite North Korea's continued provocations, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Moreover, the ROK and the U.S. reaffirmed their commitment to use all available means, including diplomatic, intelligence, military, and economic tools, to strengthen deterrence against North Korea and the U.S. security commitment to Korea. In particular, they stated, "The U.S. side reiterated that any nuclear attack by North Korea against the U.S. or its allies will not be tolerated and will lead to the end of the Kim Jong-un regime."

"ROK-US Cooperation for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific"

Jang Ho-jin, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, explaining the results of the Korea-US Extended Deterrence Strategy Consultation [Photo by Yonhap News]

Vice Minister Jang Ho-jin explained, "We agreed that the EDSCG will operate in a way that complements the Nuclear Consultation Group (NCG), which specializes in nuclear strategic planning, to contribute to strengthening the alliance's extended deterrence efforts." The NCG was launched in July following the 'Washington Declaration' agreed upon by the ROK-US leaders in April, containing measures to enhance U.S. extended deterrence.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Jenkins warned, "The U.S. confirms that it cannot tolerate any nuclear attack by North Korea on the U.S., its allies, or partner countries, including Korea, and that such an attack would lead to regime collapse." He added, "We appreciate Korea's repeated emphasis on the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," and said, "The two governments will cooperate for a free and open Indo-Pacific."

Additionally, the four chief representatives from both countries will visit the Navy 2nd Fleet Command located in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, in the afternoon. They plan to pay tribute to the 46 sailors who sacrificed their lives in the Cheonan ship torpedo attack and board the newly commissioned destroyer Cheonan. Vice Minister Shin said, "We will confirm Korea's advanced military power and demonstrate deterrence against North Korea."

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