In Response to North Korea's Offensive War Preparations... US "Coordination with Han-Jil and Il"

The U.S. Department of Defense has reiterated its stance to continue trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan to maintain regional peace, in response to North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un's directive for offensive war preparations.

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said during a briefing on the 10th (local time) in response to questions about the possibility of further provocations by North Korea and countermeasures, "We have clearly expressed our concerns about North Korea's provocations or potential provocations." However, he refrained from elaborating, stating, "I will not comment on additional response measures."

He added, "We have maintained close contact with our allies in South Korea and Japan and will continue to do so," emphasizing, "We will sustain ongoing cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity in the region."

When asked whether South Korea's participation would be included in the specific implementation of the U.S. extended deterrence commitment in the event of nuclear use, he responded only, "Our position on extended deterrence is clear," and "We will continue close cooperation with the South Korean government regarding defense."

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un is speaking while pointing to Seoul and Gyeryongdae in Chungnam on the map during the expanded meeting of the Central Military Commission held at the Party Central Committee headquarters on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Earlier, on the 9th, North Korea held an expanded meeting of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party chaired by Chairman Kim, where it was announced via the Korean Central News Agency that an offensive military response plan was decided to further thoroughly prepare for war.

Photos released by North Korean media showed Kim Jong-un presiding over the meeting with a large map of South Korea placed beside him, and during the meeting, pointing with his finger to Seoul on the map and the area around Gyeryongdae in Chungnam Province, where the headquarters of the Army, Navy, and Air Force are located.

The announcement of strategic military actions is interpreted as a countermeasure against the upcoming trilateral summit among South Korea, the United States, and Japan (on the 18th) and the joint South Korea-U.S. military exercise "Eulji Freedom Shield" (from the 21st to the 24th). There are concerns that North Korea may soon undertake additional provocations.