Lee Jong-seop "Substantial Strengthening of Extended Deterrence... Will Achieve Peace Through Power"

"Close Consultation on Strengthening Execution Capability of Expansion Suppression in SCM"

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop is delivering the keynote speech at the 22-2 Korea-US Alliance Peace Conference held on the afternoon of the 25th at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop condemned North Korea's successive provocations and stated, "We plan to closely discuss practical measures to strengthen the extended deterrence capabilities at the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) between South Korea and the United States."

On the afternoon of the 25th, Minister Lee delivered a keynote speech at the "South Korea-U.S. Alliance International Academic Conference," jointly hosted by the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation and the Korean War Veterans Association at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He said, "This SCM will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm that the more North Korea provokes, the stronger the South Korea-U.S. alliance becomes, and if North Korea attempts to use nuclear weapons, it will face an overwhelming and decisive response."

Extended deterrence is a concept whereby the United States regards nuclear and missile threats against its allies as threats to the U.S. mainland and provides deterrence capabilities, including nuclear capabilities, conventional forces, and missile defense systems.

Along with this, Minister Lee emphasized, "Despite strong opposition from the international community, North Korea has not only promulgated the nuclear weapons law but also carried out various military provocations, seriously threatening the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the international community. We will also dramatically strengthen our independent response capabilities, including expanding the Korean-style 3-axis system."

Regarding the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's North Korea policy, the "Bold Initiative," he said, "The U.S. government and the international community share our efforts to bring about change in North Korea," adding, "We intend to actively implement peace through strength and peace through deterrence."