Austin in South Korea as Yoon seeks greater U.S. nuclear assurances

The defence chiefs of the United States and South Korea will hold talks on Tuesday in Seoul as Washington seeks to reassure a key Asian ally over its
nuclear commitment amid growing threats from North Korea.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Seoul on Monday and is set to meet South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup on Tuesday, following their annual security talks in November in Washington.
The latest meeting comes as South Korea pushes to bolster confidence in American extended deterrence – its military capability, especially nuclear forces, to deter attacks on its allies.
Nuclear-armed North Korea launched an unprecedented number of missiles last year, including intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of reaching the U.S. mainland. Officials from both sides have also warned Pyongyang could be preparing for its first test of a nuclear device since 2017.