US military readiness unchanged after North Korea announcement
The Pentagon has not changed its readiness to fight on the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang said it was halting nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile launches, an official said Monday.
The US has about 28,500 troops based in South Korea, as well as a large military presence constantly monitoring the region's skies and oceans.
'From a military perspective from the Department of Defense, there has been no change in our posture and our determination to be ready to fight tonight,' Pentagon spokesman Colonel Rob Manning said.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Saturday declared Pyongyang had no further need for nuclear tests or intercontinental ballistic missile launches, and no further use for its atomic test site.
Manning said that despite the move, the US has not changed its conditions 'with the demand for the complete, irreversible and verifiable denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.'
South Korea's military on Monday switched off giant loudspeakers blasting messages towards the North's soldiers at the border, in a conciliatory gesture ahead of Friday's historic inter-Korea summit between Kim and South Korea's President Moon Jae-In.
Kim is expected to meet US President Donald Trump in late May or early June.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?]()
How might European countries look to tackle drone incursions?
Disruption of infrastructure in Europe, whether by cyberattack, physical damage to pipelines or uncrewed aerial vehicles flying over major airports, as has happened more recently, is on the rise. What is the most effective way of countering the aerial aspect of this not-so-open warfare?
-
![Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US]()
Taiwan approved for $11 billion weapon purchase from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan]()
Ireland spells out $2.3 billion shopping list in five-year defence spending plan
Ireland’s multi-annual investment in capital defence spending is set to rise from €300m in 2026 to €360m in 2029–2030 with major upgrades across land, air, maritime and cyber domains.
-
![Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences]()
Canada to deepen integration of multi-domain capabilities to strengthen its defences
The Canadian Department of National Defence has created new organisations to manage the procurement and integration of all-domain solutions and allocated US$258.33 million to strengthen production capacities.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
