US, SOUTH KOREA SHARPEN DETERRENCE PLANS OVER NORTH KOREAN NUCLEAR THREAT

The United States and South Korea on Monday updated a bilateral security agreement with the aim of more effectively countering North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.

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The move followed high-level military talks in Seoul, where the allies also discussed enhancing three-way defense exercises with Japan and improving information-sharing on North Korean missile launches.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin was in Seoul for annual security talks with South Korean military officials, including Defence Minister Shin Won-sik, which were focused on boosting nuclear deterrence against North Korea. They also talked about how the allies could coordinate over broader geopolitical issues, including Russia's war on Ukraine and China's regional assertiveness, Austin said.