US, S. Korea defense ministers discuss apparent N. Korea nuclear test
(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON Jan 6 (KUNA) -- US Defense Secretary Ash Carter and South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo spoke by phone on Wednesday to discuss potential responses by the alliance to the apparent nuclear test conducted by North Korea on Tuesday Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said.Cook said in a Defense Department statement that the two officials "agreed that any such test would be an unacceptable and irresponsible provocation and is both a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the entire Asia-Pacific region." During the call Carter reaffirmed US commitment to South Korea's defense Cook said adding that "this commitment includes all aspects of the United States' extended deterrence." In turn Cook said Han emphasized the strength of the US-South Korea alliance "and its vital role in assuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Asia-Pacific." The two agreed that North Korea's provocations should have consequences Cook said.Carter and Han "reaffirmed that the international community does not and will not accept North Korea as a nuclear state and pledged that both sides would coordinate appropriate alliance responses to these provocations" Cook said."They also agreed to the importance of close coordination with the international community and regional partners in condemning this action." Meanwhile the White House has said that there is "significant and understandable skepticism" over North Korea's claims that it has successfully built a hydrogen bomb."There is nothing that has occurred in the last 24 hours that has caused the United States government to change our assessment of North Korea's technical and military capabilities" press secretary Josh Earnest said during a briefing.US officials are continuing the work necessary to learn more about the nuclear test that North Korea conducted on Tuesday night he said."But you have probably seen by now the extensive independent analysis that has been done in the United States and in other countries that includes significant and understandable skepticism of the claims of the North Korean regime" Earnest said.However Earnest agreed that any kind of nuclear test such as the one that North Korea conducted on Tuesday night "is provocative and a flagrant violation of United Nations Security Council resolutions." (end) yt.rm.sd (end)
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