U.S. President Joe Biden stated that the United States is not discussing joint nuclear drills with South Korea, contradicting statements made by his South Korean counterpart amid escalating tensions with North Korea. South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol had earlier mentioned that his country and the U.S. are considering the possibility of organizing joint exercises using American nuclear capabilities, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un described South Korea as a "clear enemy."
In response to a question from reporters at the White House regarding the discussions on joint nuclear drills with South Korea, Biden replied, "No." He had just returned from a vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands, accompanied by his national security advisor, Jake Sullivan.
Yoon's remarks came during a media interview published on Monday, where he called for readiness for war with "overwhelming" capabilities, following a year marked by a record number of missile launches by North Korea and recent incursions by North Korean drones into South Korean airspace last week.
In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo newspaper, Yoon stated, "Nuclear weapons are owned by the United States, but planning, information sharing, military exercises, and training should involve both the U.S. and South Korea." He mentioned that the joint planning and exercises would aim to enhance the effectiveness of America's "extended deterrence," and that Washington had shown "great openness" to this idea.
The term "extended deterrence" refers to the U.S. military's ability, particularly its nuclear forces, to deter any attacks on U.S. allies. Yoon's statements followed a day after North Korean state media reported that Kim Jong-un ordered the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles and a "huge increase" in the country's nuclear arsenal.
The official Korean Central News Agency reported that Kim vowed to develop another intercontinental ballistic missile system with the "main mission of delivering a rapid nuclear counterstrike" as part of a plan to strengthen the country's nuclear capabilities. Kim also noted that South Korea has become a "clear enemy" in light of its "ardent pursuit of dangerous weapons" and its involvement in hostile military maneuvers.
On Sunday, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile off its eastern coast, following the launch of three ballistic missiles on Saturday.
