US-South Korea must keep strong deterrence against the North, officials stress
The US secretaries of state and defense are in Seoul for talks on regional security. North Korea s nuclear ambitions will be high on the agenda, as will China s growing territorial assertiveness.
Lloyd Austin (L.) is making his inaugural overseas trip as defense secretary
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin arrived in Seoul on Wednesday as the Biden administration underlines its commitment to security and stability in the Asian region after the diplomatic vagaries of the Trump era.
Austin was joined by Secretary of State Antony Blinken for talks with South Korean officials on how best to counter the security risks posed by China s growing influence and North Korea s nuclear weapons program.
Hyung-Jin Kim And Kim Tong-Hyung
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, talks with Scott Pleus, Deputy Commander of the United States Forces Korea on his arrival at Osan Air Base Wednesday, March 17, 2021, in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. After Tokyo, President Joe BidenâÄôs top diplomat and defense chief are traveling to South Korea after North Korea made sure it had their attention by warning the United States to refrain from causing trouble amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations.(Chung Sung-Jun/Pool Photo via AP) March 17, 2021 - 5:37 AM
SEOUL, Korea, Republic Of - Americaâs top diplomat on Wednesday criticized North Koreaâs human rights record and reiterated a vow to strip the country of its nuclear program, a day after Pyongyang warned Washington to ârefrain from causing a stinkâ amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, center left, walks with United States Forces Korea, Gen. Robert B. Abrams, after Austin arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, on March 17. (AP Photo)
SEOUL Fresh off a stop in Tokyo, President Joe Biden’s top diplomat and defense chief traveled to South Korea on Wednesday, a day after North Korea made sure it had their attention by warning the United States to “refrain from causing a stink” amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations.
How to get North Korea to return to talks will be a major focus when Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meet South Korean officials this week.
By Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks with United States Forces Korea Gen. Robert B. Abrams after arriving at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea March 17, 2021. Chung Sung-Jun/Pool via Reuters
SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday the United States’ alliance with South Korea is ever more important because of growing security concerns over China and North Korea, the South’s Yonhap news agency reported.
South Korean Defence Minister Suh Wook said it was important for the allies to maintain a strong deterrence and joint defence posture against North Korea, the agency added.
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Top US diplomat slams North Korea s rights condition
Americaâs top diplomat has criticized North Koreaâs human rights record and reiterated a vow to strip the country of its nuclear program, a day after Pyongyang warned Washington to ârefrain from causing a stinkâ amid deadlocked nuclear negotiations
By HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG Associated Press
March 17, 2021, 12:37 PM
⢠5 min read
The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, center left, walks with United States Forces Korea, Gen. Robert B. Abrams, after Austin arrived at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Austin, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on Wednesday, is visiting South Korea, with the focus of those talks being North Korea and its nuclear ambitions.(Chung Sung-Jun/Pool Photo via AP)