White House "Always Striving to Prepare for Emergencies on the Korean Peninsula and in the Region"

by Jo Youjin

Published 09 Nov.2023 06:13(KST)

The White House said on the 8th (local time) that concerns about the weakening of the defense commitment to the Korean Peninsula due to the U.S.'s focus on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East are unfounded, stating, "We are always working to be prepared for emergencies on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

John Kirby, Coordinator of the National Security Council (NSC), responded this way during a briefing when asked whether the U.S. has strategic response plans for emergencies on the Korean Peninsula or Taiwan while focusing on the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

He said, "President Biden is investing a lot of energy and resources to fulfill the security commitment to the Republic of Korea, including additional training and military exercises, enhancing intelligence capabilities outside the Korean Peninsula, and maintaining strong military power in the Indo-Pacific region," adding, "We are making sure that the ROK-U.S. alliance remains ironclad."

Regarding South Korea's role in the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, Coordinator Kirby said, "That is a sovereign decision," and added, "If South Korea believes it has a role, it must decide for itself."