US Department of Defense on South Korea's SLBM Launch Success: "Close Cooperation of Complementary Military Forces"

"There Is No Alliance Stronger Than Korea's"

[Asia Economy International Desk Reporter] On the 20th (local time), the U.S. Department of Defense emphasized the complementary military cooperation and readiness between South Korea and the U.S. following the successful test launch of the submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) independently developed by South Korea.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the Department of Defense, stated during a press briefing, "I will only say that we continue to work closely with our South Korean ally to ensure that we maintain complementary military capabilities that are ready and competent." He added that this would be carried out in a manner corresponding to the ongoing threats on the Korean Peninsula.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

When asked whether the successful SLBM test would help deter North Korean provocations, Kirby said, "The alliance itself, the strength and unity of the alliance itself, I believe serves as an appropriate deterrent capability."

He continued, "This is one clear reason why we work so hard in this alliance, and why it is so important to us and the region." He also mentioned that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin recently referred to integrated deterrence, explaining that it is a crucial concept that penetrates not only the U.S. perspective but also allied forces and many domains of combat including space, cyber, maritime, air, and ground.

After reiterating Secretary Austin’s recognition of the importance of alliance and partner nations’ combined deterrence, he emphasized, "There is no stronger alliance than with South Korea."