U.S. Stresses Defense Commitment to Japan, S. Korea

Washington, March 28 (Jiji Press)--U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said at a press conference Thursday the United States will "unequivocally defend" South Korea as well as Japan amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "And we will be prepared ... we have to be prepared to deal with any eventuality there," Hagel said, pointing out North Korea "hast ratcheted up the danger" through its "very provocative actions and belligerent tone." The United States is stepping up military pressure on North Korea by flying nuclear-capable B-2 and B-52 bombers in the ongoing joint military exercises with South Korea. "We have to take seriously every provocative, bellicose word and action that this new, young leader (Kim Jong Un) has taken so far," the U.S. defense chief noted. "We must make clear that these provocations by the North are taken by us very seriously and we'll respond to that," he also said, giving South Korea and other allies in the region assurances of its will to protect their interests. North Korea is going a "wrong way" and has to understand that "what they're doing is very dangerous," Hagel warned. Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the same news conference that there have been moves in some of the North Korean artillery units near the demilitarized zone on the peninsula but that the moves seem consistent with historic patterns and training exercises. The joint drills are being held "mostly to assure our allies that they can count on us to be prepared and to help them deter conflict," Dempsey said, showing the U.S. commitment to provide extended deterrence for Japan and South Korea including the nuclear umbrella. END