Pentagon warns Pyongyang of obliteration if it uses nukes

Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States, South Korea, or Japan would result in the termination of the North Korean regime, said the Pentagon in a report Thursday.

“Any nuclear attack by North Korea against the United States or its Allies and partners is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime,” reads the U.S. National Defense Strategy for 2022. “There is no scenario in which the Kim regime could employ nuclear weapons and survive.”

The report added that should North Korea stage any type of conventional attack, American nuclear weapons will “play a role in deterring such attacks.”

It also spoke of building an extended deterrence system with South Korea, Japan, and Australia to deter nuclear weapons and missile threats not only from North Korea but also from China and Russia.

“Toward that end, we will work with Allies and partners to ensure an effective mix of capabilities, concepts, deployments, exercises, and tailored options to deter and, if necessary, respond to coercion and aggression,” said the Defense Department in the report.

North Korea has conducted 25 missile tests this year and passed a domestic law last month claiming the right to make preemptive nuclear strikes for self-defense.

A seventh nuclear test may be imminent, according to satellite images of its test site.

Washington and Seoul have engaged in large-scale joint military exercises this year, including the annual summer exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield.

Starting Monday, the U.S. and Korean air force will start joint training as part of the Vigilant Storm exercise, which will last through Nov. 4.

The training will involve U.S. F-35B jets, which will be joining a drill in Korea for the first time, and is expected to involve a combined 1,600 sorties, according to the Korean Air Force.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]