Pentagon Releases Nuclear Arms Policy in Korean

The Pentagon has released an official Korean translation of its guidelines for nuclear policy known as the Nuclear Posture Review as well as five other languages. 

U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Colin Kahl tweeted on Tuesday, "A demonstration of our commitment to transparency, we released the '22 Nuclear Posture Review in five more languages -- Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, & Russian -- clearly describing strategy, policy, posture, & forces." 

The document "represents a comprehensive and balanced approach to U.S. nuclear policy. It reaffirms a continuing commitment to a safe, secure, & effective nuclear deterrent and strong & credible extended deterrence," he added.

The Pentagon hopes that the translation will go some way to reassuring South Koreans who worry that they might not be protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella in case of an attack from North Korea. 

The release coincided with a visit to Seoul by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who gave similar assurances. The original NPR came out last October. 

"There is no scenario in which the Kim regime could employ nuclear weapons and survive," the NPR emphasizes. "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."

It also expresses concerns about nuclear missile development by China, North Korea and Russia. Stronger extended deterrence is needed and the U.S. will keep deploying "flexible nuclear capabilities" suitable to deter nuclear conflict in the region, it concludes. 

Military authorities here said that includes deployment of U.S. strategic bombers, ballistic missile submarines and other top-grade armaments. 

The release of the Chinese and Russian versions apparently aims to prevent Beijing and Moscow from making miscalculations.