President Donald Trump And South Korean President Moon Jae-in Have Agreed To Not Hold Joint Military Drills During The Winter Olympic Games

CNN: Trump, South Korea's Moon agree to no military drills during Olympics

US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have agreed not to hold joint military drills during the Winter Olympic Games in February, Korea's presidential office has said, a day after a diplomatic breakthrough reestablished communications between North and South Korea.

In a phone call on Thursday, Trump and Moon "agreed not to host joint military drills during the period of Pyeongchang Olympics," in South Korea, the Blue House in Seoul said in a statement. The Games are scheduled for February 9 to 25.

A senior US military official also confirmed to CNN that there would be no joint exercises during the Games.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is South Korean President Moon Jae-in's carrot to the North Koreans to come to the Olympics next month.

More News On The U.S. And Japan Agreeing To Not Hold Joint Military Drills During The Winter Olympic Games

Moon, Trump agree to delay joint military drills during PyeongChang Olympics -- Yonhap News Agency
Pentagon: Trump agreed to delay US-South Korean exercises -- ABC News/AP
US, S. Korea agree to suspend military drills during Olympics -- AFP
Trump, South Korea's Moon agree to halt military exercises amid Olympics: White House -- Reuters
South Korea: Trump agrees to suspend military drills during Olympics -- BBC
US, South Korea agree to delay military exercises during Olympics -- The Hill
U.S., South Korea agree to delay military exercises during Winter Olympics -- USA Today
Trump agrees to delay military exercise with South Korea until after Winter Olympics -- Washington Post
Trump agrees to halt U.S.-South Korea drills during Pyeongchang Winter Olympics -- NBC

President Trump Arrives In South Korea

Reuters: Trump lands in South Korea, frontlines of North Korean nuclear standoff

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea (Reuters) - President Donald Trump flew into South Korea and met with U.S. troops stationed there on Tuesday, the closest he has come to the frontlines of the nuclear standoff with North Korea, on a visit that could further aggravate tensions with Pyongyang.

Landing at Osan Air Base outside Seoul, the president and First Lady Melania Trump stepped down from Air Force One onto a red carpet as he began his 24-hour visit with a military honor guard and 21-gun salute.

He then flew by helicopter to Camp Humphreys, the largest U.S. military installation in the country.

The White House says Trump’s trip is intended to demonstrate U.S. resolve over his hardline approach to the North Korean nuclear and missile threats, but many in the region fear further bellicose presidential rhetoric could increase the potential for a devastating military conflict on the Korean peninsula.

Read more ....

More News On President Trump Arriving In South Korea

Donald Trump arrives in S Korea with focus on Pyongyang -- BBC
Trump arrives in Seoul, bringing him close to Kim's doorstep -- The Japan Times
Pyongyang tops agenda as Trump arrives in South Korea -- Financial Times
Trump lands in South Korea for nuclear talks about North Korea -- USA Today
Trump lands in South Korea amid escalating tensions with the North -- NYPost/AP
Trump reviews military forces in South Korea amid tensions -- Chicago Tribune
Trump arrives in South Korea from Japan, after calling for a military buildup to counter North Korea -- Los Angeles Times

A South Korean Delegation Of Lawmakers Asks The U.S. For Nuclear Weapons

People watch a TV news report about North Korea’s hydrogen bomb test at a railway station in Seoul, South Korea on September 3, 2017. (Han Jong-Chan/Yonhap/via REUTERS)

Washington Post: A South Korean delegation asks Washington for nuclear weapons

The heated debate in South Korea over redeploying U.S. nuclear weapons on its territory has now reached Washington. A senior delegation of South Korean lawmakers is in town making the case to the Trump administration and Congress that such a move is needed to confront North Korea’s growing nuclear capability and place more pressure on China.

“We are here to ask for redeployment of tactical nuclear warheads in South Korea,” Lee Cheol Woo, the head of the intelligence committee of South Korea’s National Assembly, told me Thursday morning.

Lee is heading a delegation of members of the Liberty Korea Party, the opposition to President Moon Jae-in’s Democratic Party. He is also the chairman of the assembly’s special committee for nuclear crisis response.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This South Korean delegation is made up of lawmakers from the opposition party who are clearly distancing themselves from the South Korean President who voiced the exact opposite position earlier this morning .... South Korean President Does Not Want Nuclear Weapons Because It May Spur A Nuclear Arms Race. But while they may be the opposition party, they are reflecting a change in public sentiment on nuclear weapons in South Korea .... More than ever, South Koreans want their own nuclear weapons ( Michelle Ye Hee Lee, Washington Post).

South Korean President Moon Wants More U.S. Anti-Missile Defense Systems Deployed After Today's North Korea ICBM Test

President Trump with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea at the White House. Credit Pete Marovich for The New York Times

Reuters: South Korea's Moon orders talks with U.S. to deploy more THAAD units after North Korea ICBM test

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean President Moon Jae-in ordered discussions to be held with the United States on deploying additional THAAD anti-missile defense units following North Korea's test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, his office said on Saturday.

Moon also wanted the United Nations Security Council to discuss new and stronger sanctions against the North, the presidential Blue House said following a National Security Council meeting.

Two units of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) anti-missile system have been deployed by the U.S. military in a southern South Korean region, with four more planned but delayed over concerns about their environmental impact.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Quite a reversal from just 6 weeks ago .... South Korea Suspends Deployment Of U.S. Missile Defense System Pending An 'Environmental Review' (June 7, 2017).

South Korean President Moon Jae-in Embarks On A Four-Day- Trip To Washington D.C

Yonhap News Agency: S. Korean president departs for Washington summit with Trump

SEOUL AIR BASE, June 28 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in headed to the United States on Wednesday for a summit with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump, which will likely focus on how to rein in North Korea's growing nuclear and missile capabilities, as well as forming a personal relationship to last their presidencies.

Moon was set to arrive in Washington on Wednesday (U.S. time).

His meeting with Trump will literally mark an international debut of the new South Korean president who came into office May 10.

Read more ....

More News On South Korean President Moon Jae-in Embarking On A Four-Day- Trip To Washington D.C

Moon-Trump meeting to focus on alliance, N. Korea -- Yonhap News Agency
South Korea's president to meet President Trump this week amid grave concerns over North Korea -- Los Angeles Times
Moon to stay in VIP guesthouse during US visit -- Korea Herald
Five things you need to know as Donald Trump meets South Korean president Moon Jae-in -- The Telegraph
South Korean President Moon Jae-in Prepares for a Difficult Meeting With Trump -- The Nation
What To Expect From The White House Summit With South Korea's Leader -- Elise Hu, NPR
Moon faces delicate balancing act in meeting with Trump -- Nikkei Asian Review

U.S. Considering Redeploying Nuclear Tactical Weapons To South Korea

Arirang: U.S. could redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to S. Korea: NYT

The New York Times reported over the weekend that President Trump has been discussing the possibility of re-deploying tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea for the first time in 26 years, with the aim of sending a "dramatic" warning to North Korea.

Unlike strategic nuclear weapons such as intercontinental ballistic missiles, tactical nuclear weapons usually have a small yield of under 20 kilotons.

However, these weapons pose a big threat to an opponent as they can be delivered by field artillery, small bombs and missiles.

Read more ....

Update: Possibility of US redeploying tactical nukes in South Korea fuels fresh controversy (Korea Herald)

WNU Editor: I personally doubt that the U.S. will redeploy tactical nuclear weapons to South Korea in the near future. The South Korean government is in a current state of turmoil over a corruption scandal .... having a debate on redeploying nuclear weapons is something that I doubt the government wants to be embroiled in right now. What I do expect will be deployed .... and quickly .... is this .... South Korea acting president calls for swift deployment of U.S. anti-missile system (Reuters)

US And South Korea Have Agreed To Deploy THAAD

Nikkei Asian Review: US and South Korea agree to deploy THAAD this year

Mattis warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' response to nuclear use.

SEOUL/TOKYO -- Closing out his two-day visit to South Korea, the first overseas tour by a senior Trump administration official, U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea that any use of nuclear weapons would be met with an "overwhelming" response.

Heading into a meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Han Min-koo, on Friday, Mattis told reporters: "North Korea continues to launch missiles, develop its nuclear weapons program and engage in threatening rhetoric and behavior."

North Korea has hinted that it is ready to test an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the continental U.S., an early challenge for the Trump administration. "Any attack on the United States or our allies will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming," Mattis said.

Read more ....

Update: In South Korea, Mattis says US defense commitments in East Asia 'ironclad' (DW).

WNU Editor: Opposition to the deployment of THAAD to South Korea is producing the predictable responses from its neighbours ....

From Russia .... Russia warns South Korea of consequences if THAAD deployed (UPI)
From China .... China reiterates opposition to Thaad deployment in South Korea (IBTimes)
From North Korea .... North Korea accuses US, South Korea of plotting nuclear attack (CNN)

Commander Of U.S. Forces In Korea: THAAD Anti-Missile Battery To Be Deployed In The Next 8-10 Months

IBTimes: US THAAD In South Korea: USFK Chief Says Antimissile System To Be Deployed To Region In 8-10 Months

Amid escalating tensions between the United States and North Korea over the latter’s nuclear capabilities, the commander of U.S. forces in neighboring South Korea said Friday that a U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system battery will be deployed to the region in the next eight to ten months.

“You’re gonna see the deployment of a THAAD battery. This is an alliance decision. It will come in the next eight to 10 months. That is an Army unit and ... a larger configuration than the one in Guam,” U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Vincent K. Brooks said at a seminar in Seoul, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. THAAD Anti-Missile Battery To Be Deployed In South Korea In The Next 8-10 Months

USFK chief says THAAD to be deployed in next 8-10 months -- Yonhap News Agency
U.S. to deploy THAAD anti-missile battery in South Korea in 8-10 months: commander -- Reuters
THAAD will be deployed in 8-10 months: USFK commander -- Korea Times
USFK commander says THAAD will be deployed to S. Korea within 8-10 months -- Arirang News
US Sets Date for THAAD Deployment in South Korea as China Protests -- Sputnik
THAAD Coming to South Korea in 8-10 Months: Top US Commander -- The Diplomat

The U.S. Wants To Deploy Its Missile Defense System In South Korea ASAP

A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) interceptor is launched during a successful intercept test, in this undated handout photo provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency. U.S. Department of Defense, Missile Defense Agency/Handout

Reuters: U.S to deploy anti-missile system in South Korea 'as soon as possible'

The United States will speed up deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea given the pace of North Korea's missile tests, and it will be stationed there "as soon as possible," the top U.S. diplomat for East Asia said on Tuesday.

Daniel Russel, assistant secretary of state for East Asia, also told a congressional hearing the United States was in discussions with international partners, including the European Union, to deny North Korea access to international banking infrastructure after its recent nuclear and missile tests.

Russel told the House subcommittee for Asia the timing of the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system was a Pentagon matter.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The North Koreans must be spooking a lot fo people in Washington for the U.S. to be this eager to deploy its THAAD anti-missile system ASAP.

More News On The U.S. Wanting To Deploy Its Missile Defense System To South Korea ASAP

US looks to accelerate deployment of missile defense system in South Korea -- AP
US plans to deploy THAAD in South Korea 'as soon as possible,' official says -- Stars and Stripes
U.S. official: THAAD to be deployed to deter North Korea threats -- UPI

U.S. And South Korea To Conduct Exercises On Attacking A Nuclear Facility And How To Respond In The Event Of A Sudden Missile Attack

This undated file photo shows North Korea's nuclear facilities in Yeongbyeon, north of Pyongyang. (Yonhap)

CNN: South Korea, US to simulate attack on nuclear facility

Seoul (CNN)South Korea and the United States will conduct a mock attack on a nuclear facility next month, an official with the South Korean Defense Department told CNN.

Though the official said the drills are not aimed particularly at North Korea, the announcement comes less than two weeks after North Korea claimed to have successfully tested a nuclear warhead -- its second nuclear test this year and fifth one ever.

The US and South Korea will also simulate what to do in the event of a sudden missile attack.

Read more ....

Update #1: US, South Korea Train To Wipe Out Kim Jong Un’s Nuclear Facilities (Daily Caller)
Update #2: S. Korea, U.S. to conduct joint drill targeting N. Korea nuke facilities (Yonhap news Agency)

WNU Editor: It looks like the U.S. and South Korea are preparing worst case scenarios when it comes to North Korea.

The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Arrives In South Korea To Participate In War Exercises

Korea Herald: U.S. aircraft carrier joins joint drill with Seoul

BUSAN -- A U.S. nuclear-powered supercarrier John C. Stennis arrived in South Korea on Sunday to participate in the allies’ joint military exercise this month, amid rising inter-Korea tensions sparked by repeated provocations from North Korea.

The USS John C. Stennis strike group, led by Rear Admiral Ronald Boxall, docked in Busan harbor in the morning. The fleet had sailed through the South China seas en route to Busan, possibly sending a message toward China.

Rear Admiral Bill Byrne, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea said that their presence is to prevent further provocations from the communist state.

Read more ....

More News On The Arrival Of The USS John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group in South Korea

US aircraft carrier arrives in South Korea to join drill -- The Telegraph
Nuclear-powered US aircraft carrier arrives in S. Korea -- Korea Times
U.S. aircraft carrier arrives in S. Korea -- Yonhap News Agency
US aircraft carrier due in South Korea for military exercises -- SBS

Tensions Rise On The Korean Peninsula As U.S. And South Korea Conduct Military Exercises

Reuters: U.S., South Korea stage assault drill; North threatens to wipe out enemies

U.S. and South Korean troops staged a big amphibious landing exercise on Saturday, storming simulated North Korean beach defenses amid heightened tension and threats by the North to annihilate its enemies.

The landing and assault drills on South Korea's east coast were part of eight weeks of joint exercises between the allies which the South has said are the largest ever. The North has denounced the exercises as "nuclear war moves" and threatened to respond with an all-out offensive.

Tension on the Korean peninsula has been high since the North conducted its fourth nuclear test in January and followed that with a long-range rocket launch last month, triggering new U.N. sanctions.

Read more ....

More News On Growing Tensions On The Korean Peninsula

South Korea, U.S. deter North Korea with 'largest ever' military drill -- CNN
US, South Korea conduct major military exercise in face of North's threats -- FOX News
South Korean Drills Go Ahead Despite Northern Threats -- WSJ
N. Korea Issues Threats During US-South Korea Exercises -- Military.com/AFP
North Korea denies cyber attacks on South Korea officials -- Reuters
North Korea Blasts South Over Cyberattack Accusations -- VOA

US And South Korea Are Set To Begin Their Largest Ever Joint Military Exercises

South Korean army's K-2 tanks take part in a live-firing drill at a fire training field in Yangpyeong, South Korea. Reuters

BBC: South Korea and US set for 'largest ever' war games

The US and South Korea are set to begin their largest ever joint military exercises amid high tensions on the Korean peninsula.

More than 300,000 South Korean and 15,000 US troops will take part in the drills, Yonhap news agency reported, citing a military official.

South Korean defence minister Han Min-koo has said the exercises will be twice the size of last year.

The drills start days after the UN passed new sanctions on North Korea.

Security tensions have increased since the North tested a nuclear device in January, followed by a rocket launch.

Read more ....

Update: 2,000 U.S. Marines arrive in S. Korea for drills as North threatens war (Marine Times)

WNU Editor: North Korea responds with the usual threats .... North Korean tyrant Kim Jong Un threatens to 'clearly show the end' of South Korean president after demanding his nuclear missiles be readied for immediate launch (Daily Mail).

Largest Ever US-South Korea Military War Games To Begin In March

South Korean army's K-2 tanks take part in a live-firing drill at a fire training field in Yangpyeong, South Korea. Reuters

The Telegraph: Largest ever US-South Korea military drill planned as a 'warning to Pyongyang'

The US will deploy a combat aviation brigade to South Korea for the duration of the manoeuvres, as well as a mobile US Marine brigade

The joint US-South Korean exercises scheduled for March will be largest military drills ever staged on the Korean Peninsula and are both a warning to Pyongyang and an effort to reassure the jittery public in the South.

The parallel Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises are scheduled to commence on March 7, with the field-training exercises that make up Foal Eagle lasting until April 30. The drills will involve 15,000 US troops, twice the number of previous years, and will serve to demonstrate Washington's firepower.

The US will deploy a combat aviation brigade to South Korea for the duration of the manoeuvres, as well as a mobile US Marine brigade, an aircraft carrier and its attendant fleet, a nuclear-powered submarine and aeriel tankers to refuel fighter aircraft.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: The conflict between North and South Korea is becoming very personal .... South Korea raps Pyongyang for calling President Park a ‘crazy bitch’ and ‘senile’ (South China Morning Post).

More News On The U.S. And South Korea Preparing To Have The Largest Ever Military Drills

US, South Korea to Practice Offense During Joint Exercises -- VOA
South Korea, US prepare biggest ever military drill -- CCTV
North Korea may disrupt GPS signals when South Korea-US hold largest-ever military drill -- IBTimes

South Korea Losing Confidence In U.S. Security Guarantees

Deadly convoy: Dozens of U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons demonstrate an 'Elephant Walk' as they taxi down a runway during an exercise at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to practise for a wartime mission. This picture is among a gallery of images chosen to showcase a year in the life of the U.S. Air force in 2012

Michael Auslin, Wall Street Journal: Will South Korea Go Nuclear?

Seoul’s leading newspaper suggests acquiring nuclear arms, as confidence wanes in U.S. defense guarantees.

North Korea’s latest rocket launch has sent the global community into another frenzy. While diplomats promise more sanctions against Pyongyang, some of South Korea’s leading voices are losing patience with the international community.

The Chosun Ilbo is South Korea’s most respected newspaper and has deep ties to the country’s elites. So a recent unsigned editorial entitled “South Korea Must Discuss Acquiring Nuclear Arms” should make Washington sit up and take notice. It reflects Seoul’s diminishing trust in its American ally and may provide a glimpse of what nuclear proliferation in Asia will look like.

The language of the editorial was brutal. It reprimanded U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry for failing to come to an agreement earlier this month with Wang Yi, his Chinese counterpart, over how to respond to North Korea’s latest nuclear test: “The U.S. has passed the buck for taming North Korea to China, and China is doing nothing. Seoul now faces a real need for public discussion of the development of its own nuclear weapons.”

Read more ....

WNU Editor: This is what a super-power in decline looks like .... even your closest allies have doubts that you will keep your promises and commitments.

U.S. Deploys F-22 Raptors To South Korea

IBTimes: US To Send F-22 Stealth Fighter Jets To South Korea After North Korea’s Satellite Launch

The United States is set to send four F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea Wednesday, Yonhap News Agency reported Tuesday, citing defense officials in South Korea. The move comes as part of Washington’s show of force in response to Pyongyang’s launch of a satellite earlier this month that drew international censure.

“The U.S. military plans to deploy four F-22s to the Korean Peninsula tomorrow (Wednesday),” a defense official said, according to South Korea's Yonhap.

The F-22 is reportedly a core strategic weapon for the U.S. and has been operational since 2005. However, the jets were seen in combat for the first time in attacks against the Islamic State group in Syria in 2014, CNN reported in August. The jets can attack not only other aircraft but can also be configured to bomb targets. The stealth function on the jets, which can carry nuclear missiles and bombs, helps them from being detected by radar, China's Xinhua News Agency reported.

Read more ....

More News On The U.S. Deploying F-22s To South Korea

F-22 fighters arrive at Osan Air Base amid North Korea crisis -- Stars and Stripes
US F-22 Stealth Fighters Fly over South Korea amid Standoff with North -- AP
4 US F-22 stealth fighter jets patrol over South Korea amid growing tensions with North -- Reuters
U.S. to deploy F-22 Raptors to South Korea -- UPI
U.S. Flies F-22 Fighters in Latest Show of Force to North Korea -- Bloomberg
U.S. F-22 stealth fighters fly over South Korea after North Korea rocket launch -- Washington Times
F-22 Stealth Fighter Jets Arriving in Korea -- Chosun Ilbo
US to Deploy Four F-22 Fighter Aircraft in South Korea Wednesday -- Sputnik

U.S. Deploys Patriot Missiles To South Korea

U.S. Patriot missile system © Osman Orsal / Reuters

FOX News: US military deploys more Patriot missiles in South Korea

The U.S. temporarily deployed an additional Patriot missile battery in South Korea late Friday in response to North Korea’s nuclear test and a long-range rocket launch, ahead of talks next week to set up an even more sophisticated missile defense system.

There was no immediate word from the Pentagon on the deployment of the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, missile system, something that China and Russia wouldn’t view favorably.

The extra Patriot missile battery deployment follows South Korea’s decision to shut down a shared factory park that had been the rival Koreas’ last major symbol of cooperation, but that Seoul said had been used by North Korea to fund its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea responded to the closure by deporting South Korean citizens, seizing South Korean assets and vowing to militarize the park.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: China is not happy with these deployments .... China foreign minister urges U.S. caution on missile system (Reuters)

More News On The U.S. Deploying Patriot Missiles To South Korea

US deploys more Patriot missiles in South Korea following North's nuclear test -- The Guardian/AP
US deploys more Patriot missiles in South Korea -- AFP
US deploys more Patriot missiles to South Korea -- DW
U.S. deploys additional Patriot missiles in S. Korea -- Yonhap News Agency
US Deploys Additional Patriot Missiles In South Korea While China Urges Washington To ‘Act Cautiously’ -- IBTimes
Report: THAAD Missile Defense to South Korea -- Scout
US Sending Patriot Missile Battery to South Korea -- Sputnik
US sends extra Patriot missiles to S Korea amid rising tensions with North -- RT

U.S. Marines And South Korean Troops Train Shirtless In The Extreme Cold

Daily Mail: We’re SNOW hard! Bare-chested US marines and Korean troops perform drills (and mess about) in extreme cold as ‘preparation for North Korea attack’

The thought of wrestling bare-chested in the snow-covered wilderness with your mates wouldn't cross many people as a great way to spend a winter's afternoon, but a unit of marines couldn't wait to cover themselves in the white stuff during an exercise in South Korea.

U.S. Marines from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary force, deployed from Okinawa, Japan, larked about with a unit of South Korean marines while they took a quick break from a set of gruelling endurance drills in Pyeongchang-gun.

The troops were in the region to hone their skills, in temperatures below minutes 20 degrees Celsius, under a scenario where they must defend the country from a possible attack from North Korea.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Big deal .... I knew a Soviet diplomat in Montreal who enjoyed jogging shirtless everyday even when the weather outside was -20C .... the link is here.

U.S. Refuses To Commit What Strategic And Missile Defense Assets It Will Send To South Korea

Family members disembark from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter Oct. 30 after a mock evacuation flight during Courageous Channel at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan in Seoul, South Korea, Oct. 30, 2015. Army.mil

Defense News: US Noncommittal on Strategic, Missile Defense Assets for Korea

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon and State Department remained careful Thursday when discussing whether strategic assets or missile defense systems could be moved closer to South Korea, but would not rule out anything when discussing US actions in response to Tuesday’s North Korean nuclear test.

Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook told reporters that the relationship between the US and the Republic of Korea remains “iron-clad,” a phrase he used four times when discussing the US willingness to protect its longstanding ally.

He also said the US would “consider every possible option that should be considered to further the defense of South Korea.”

However, just how far the US is willing to go is unclear.

WNU Editor: This is not the time for the U.S. to be wishy-washy when it comes to the Korean peninsula .... our relationship is "iron-clad" but we will not say how far that commitment will go .... sighhh .... that is not the message that they should be sending. And while the U.S. is communicating their lack of commitment to defend South Korea, the Pentagon is making it very clear on what they will bring out if the situation blows up into a war .... The U.S. has a plan to evacuate troops’ families and pets from Korea in case of nuclear attack (Military Times).

After North Korea's Nuclear Test South Korea Now Wants U.S. Strategic Weapons

U.S. President Barack Obama visits U.S. military personnel stationed at Observation Post Ouellette along the Demilitarized Zone which borders North and South Korea, outside Seoul. 2012 REUTERS/Larry Downing

Reuters: South Korea seeks U.S. strategic weapons after North's nuclear test

South Korea is in talks with the United States to deploy U.S. strategic weapons on the Korean peninsula, a South Korean military official said on Thursday, a day after North Korea said it successfully tested a hydrogen nuclear device.

South Korea also said it would resume propaganda broadcasts by loudspeaker into North Korea from Friday, which is likely to infuriate its isolated rival, in response to its fourth nuclear test.

The United States and weapons experts voiced doubts the device North Korea tested on Wednesday was a hydrogen bomb, but calls mounted for more sanctions against it for its rogue nuclear program.

The underground explosion angered China, which was not given prior notice although it is North Korea's main ally, pointing to a strain in their ties.

WNU Editor: As I had mentioned yesterday .... expect a huge arms build-up .... North Korea's Nuclear Test Will Result In A Missile Defense Build-up By Japan And South Korea.