'Any nuclear assault on US or allies would end Kim regime': US Defense Secretary

United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin on Thursday stated that any nuclear assault by rth Korea on US or its allies would "result in end” of Kim Jong-un's regime. se remarks of Austin came during 54th Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between US and Republic of Korea which was held in Washington, D.C. According to US Department of Defence, Austin said in a statement, “Any nuclear attack against United States or its allies and partners, including use of n-strategic nuclear weapons, is unacceptable and will result in end of Kim regime.” 

Furrmore, Austin me se comments as ministration of Kim Jong-un in Pyongyang has recently conducted a series of missile tests. According to South Korean military, a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile conducted on Thursday may have failed. Besides this, launch was described as "outrous and absolutely intolerable" in Japan. 

According to press release, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and  Minister of National Defense of South Korea, Lee Jong-Sup dressed cooperation measures between two countries while reviewing present security situation on Korean Peninsula, in surrounding area, and in wider region. It is worth mentioning that US Secretary Austin and  Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister Lee Jong-Sup led ir respective delegations, which included top defense and foreign policy officials. 

US and ROK discussed repeated multiple rocket launcher firings by rth Korea 

In dition to this, Minister voiced worry over repeated multiple rocket launcher firings by rth Korea as well as or violations of "Comprehensive Military Agreement." Secretary and Minister strongly deunced Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s escalating actions and violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions, which include ballistic missile test launches, numerous rocket launches, and firing of coastal artillery, and y urged world community to hold DPRK accountable for its doings. 

US defense secretary also highlighted his worry about DPRK's efforts to create different nuclear weapons and delivery systems. Secretary Austin reaffirmed stefast American commitment to support ROK with extended deterrence using full spectrum of American military capabilities, including sophisticated n-nuclear capabilities as well as nuclear, conventional, and missile defense capabilities. 

As DPRK's nuclear and missile threats progress, y promised to furr expand Alliance's capacities, sharing of information, and consultation processes, as well as cooperative planning and execution. 

In dition to recent bombardment of weapons tests that have heightened tensions in area, rth Korea launched nearly six missiles into sea on vember 3, which included an intercontinental ballistic missile that prompted evacuation alerts and suspended trains in rrn Japan. According to Associated Press report, two short-range ballistic missile tests in morning followed intercontinental ballistic missile launch, which drew rapid criticism from rth Korea's neighbours and United States. In response, US extended existing joint air force drills with South Korea. 

(Im: AP)