The Pentagon announced its readiness to use conventional and nuclear weapons to protect South Korea

“Our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea remains unwavering.

The United States is firmly committed to the extended deterrence commitment, which involves the use of the full range of US military capabilities, including conventional and nuclear weapons, ”TASS quoted him as saying.

The minister stressed that last year, the DPRK committed an "unprecedented" number of provocations.

According to Austin, the American and South Korean sides are discussing these actions, which, according to Washington, will destabilize the situation in the region.

It was also reported that the United States and South Korea agreed to expand the scope of joint exercises in 2023.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previously noted that North Korea is of concern to the alliance, as it behaves "provocatively and destabilizingly."