Photo: Reuters/KCNAThe United States has vowed to do "whatever is necessary" to defend itself, South Korea and other allies against the "grave" threat posed by North Korea, which has conducted two nuclear tests and a series of missile launches this year. The term "extended deterrence" refers to the US nuclear umbrella that protects non-nuclear allies South Korea and Japan in East Asia. South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said North Korea was nearing the "final stage of nuclear weaponisation" and called for "an updated US-Korean comprehensive response strategy." South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo said the North Korean nuclear and missile programme was "like a dagger against our throats." Carter said the US and South Korea would "continue to modernize our alliance, seize new opportunities and address evolving threats."

Source: Otago Daily Times October 19, 2016 19:41 UTC