US and South Korea Respond to North Korean Nuclear Threats

Roberto Schmidt/Pool via AP

On June 12, South Korea’s military detected several trails that were assumed to be rounds from North Korean multiple rocket launchers.

According to the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), North Korea fired multiple artillery shots between 8:07 and 11:03 local time a day after leader Kim Jong Un pledged to strengthen North Korea’s military power.

“While bolstering our military’s surveillance and vigilance, South Korea and the United States are working closely and maintaining a thorough readiness posture,” the JCS said.

On Monday, the United States and South Korea warned North Korea if the nation conducts a nuclear test. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin held a news conference at the State Department in Washington.

According to Blinken, the Biden administration is “prepared to make both short and longer-term adjustments to our military posture.”

“We’re open to dialogue without preconditions … Our goal, simply put, is a peaceful and stable region and world. Until the regime in Pyongyang changes course, we will continue to keep the pressure on.”

Park also alerted North Korea of the consequences of moving ahead with a possible nuclear test.

“North Korea has completed preparations for another nuclear test and I think only a political decision has to be made,” Park said. “If North Korea ventures into another nuclear test, I think it will only strengthen our deterrence and also international sanctions.”

Hedy Yang

Originally from Taiwan, Hedy Yang graduated with a master's degree in communication from Northwestern University. Aside from news writing, Hedy loves composing, podcasting, and voice acting. She is currently pursuing her second master's degree in communication at Columbia University.