 "Pentagon slams 'unhelpful' North Korea nuclear rhetoric")
North Korean threats of pre-emptive nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States are "unhelpful" and serve only to aggravate tensions, the Pentagon said on Monday.
The US military has downplayed the risk from North Korea's nuclear arsenal and was going ahead with a joint annual exercise with Seoul involving 300,000 South Korean and around 17,000 US troops.
North Korea had earlier on Monday warned of pre-emptive and "indiscriminate" nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States as the two allies started the military exercises.
"That is rhetoric that is unhelpful," Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said.
"We continue to ask them to refrain from provocative actions and statements that only serve to aggravate tensions," he added.
Davis added that Washington and Seoul continue to move toward deployment of a sophisticated US missile defense system to South Korea.
He said the two countries last week signed "terms of reference" for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System deployment.
The US military has downplayed the risk from North Korea's nuclear arsenal and was going ahead with a joint annual exercise with Seoul involving 300,000 South Korean and around 17,000 US troops.
North Korea had earlier on Monday warned of pre-emptive and "indiscriminate" nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States as the two allies started the military exercises.
Also Read
"We continue to ask them to refrain from provocative actions and statements that only serve to aggravate tensions," he added.
Davis added that Washington and Seoul continue to move toward deployment of a sophisticated US missile defense system to South Korea.
He said the two countries last week signed "terms of reference" for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System deployment.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%