"U.S. provides 'extended deterrence' to South Korea with all its capabilities, including nuclear weapons"

<Anchor> The

U.S. government reaffirmed its promise to provide extended deterrence to South Korea using all its powers, including nuclear weapons.

The South Korea-U.S.- Japan alliance is closely monitoring North Korea's seventh nuclear test,

which is rumored to be imminent, in cooperation.

Correspondent Yunsu Kim from Washington.

<Reporter>

A high-ranking U.S. State Department official, who was briefed ahead of Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman's visit to Japan, declined to answer a question about his position on the relocation of tactical nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula, saying that it was under the Ministry of National Defense.

She emphasized that she remains unchanged from her existing position of providing extended deterrence to South Korea with all U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear and conventional weapons and missile defense.

Regarding the report that US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg took a negative stance on the relocation of tactical nuclear weapons, it was reported out of context.

As North Korea's seventh nuclear test is known to be imminent, it seems that the two countries have been wary of appearing to be at odds over whether to redeploy tactical nuclear weapons.

The Pentagon said it was closely monitoring North Korea's movements and was strengthening its vigilance.

[Patrick Ryder / US Department of Defense Spokesperson: We believe that North Korea is continuing to prepare for a nuclear test.

We are continuing to monitor the situation closely.]

Deputy Secretary of State Sherman is scheduled to hold a meeting with Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyeon-dong in Japan on the 26th to discuss countermeasures against the North Korean nuclear program.