South Korea to boost defence capacity to counter North Korean threat


FE Team | Published: June 12, 2022 15:16:28 | Updated: June 12, 2022 15:46:16


Ukraine Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Senik, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, South Korea Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup, Netherlands Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren, Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, China's State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe and Laos' Major General Chanthong Sonetaath chat before the ministerial working lunch during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore June 11, 2022. REUTERS/Caroline Chia

South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup said on Sunday that his country would enhance its defence capabilities and work closely with the United States and Japan to counter North Korea's nuclear and missile threat, news agency Reuters reported. 

Lee, speaking at an Asian security meeting in Singapore, said the situation on the Korean peninsula posed a global threat and he urged North Korea to immediately end its nuclear weapon and missile programmes.

The United States warned this month that North Korea is preparing to conduct a seventh nuclear test, and says it will again push for United Nations sanctions if that happens. 

"The South Korean government will strengthen capabilities to better implement the United States' extended deterrence, and we will strengthen the response capabilities of the South Korean military to deter North Korea's nuclear and missile threats," Lee said in a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, a top regional security summit.

"Moreover, we would like to strengthen security cooperation between South Korea, the U.S. and Japan to respond to North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes," he added.

North Korea promoted its key nuclear negotiator to foreign minister, state media said on Saturday, as leader Kim Jong Un vowed to his ruling party that he would use "power for power" to fight threats to the country's sovereignty.

North Korea has carried out at least 18 rounds of weapons tests this year, underscoring its evolving nuclear and missile arsenals.

Lee said South Korea was ready to extend economic support to North Korea if it ended its nuclear programme.

"Should North Korea make substantial progress in de-nuclearisation, our government will pursue a bold plan that can yield groundbreaking achievements for North Korea's economy and its citizens' quality of life," he said.

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