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The US said it was ready to take additional measures to deter North Korea's seventh nuclear test.

He said that he would leave it up to the two countries to improve relations between the two countries, but emphasized that cooperation between the two countries is essential.



Correspondent Seungmo Nam in Washington reports.



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When asked if there were any signs that North Korea would conduct a seventh nuclear test in the near future, the US State Department said that it had been clearly warning about the consequences of a nuclear test, saying that it was evaluating that it would conduct a nuclear test.



[Ned Price / US State Department Spokesperson: We are ready to take additional measures in terms of defense and deterrence in response to North Korea's additional provocations, such as the possibility of a 7th nuclear test.]



In addition, North Korea's threats are not only nuclear and ballistic missiles, but also weapons of mass destruction and weapons of mass destruction. You mentioned cyber threats.



He also made it clear that this threat is not limited to the Korean Peninsula.



He emphasized the importance of bilateral and trilateral cooperation for regional security, such as responding to North Korea, referring to the South Korea-U.S.-Japan Vice-Ministerial Meeting to be held in Tokyo today (26th).



He said that the improvement of Korea-Japan relations would be left up to the two countries, but that cooperation between the two countries was essential.



At a briefing at the US Department of Defense, a question was asked whether extended deterrence would be more effective than the relocation of tactical nuclear weapons in South Korea.



In response, the United States responded by saying that it had maintained a long-term alliance with South Korea and that it would prevent disputes in the region with a strong deterrent force along with South Korea and Japan.

[Patrick Ryder / U.S. Department of Defense Spokesperson



: We have, and will always be, the power and ability to secure the interests of the United States and its allies.]



He said that he will thoroughly keep the promise of defense of allies along with the national interest of the United States.