U.S., South Korea hold wargame on North Korean nuclear strike

Tabletop drill comes amid threat of Pyongyang mass-producing tactical warheads

South Korean officials were scheduled to observe nuclear-powered submarines, a key element of U.S. deterrence, at the Kings Bay naval base in the state of Georgia. (Handout photo from the U.S. Navy) © Reuters

YUKIHIRO SAKAGUCHI and JUNNOSUKE KOBARA, Nikkei staff writers

February 24, 2023 02:29 JST

WASHINGTON/SEOUL -- The U.S. and South Korea have conducted a joint military tabletop exercise to simulate a response to a nuclear strike by North Korea, affirming their cooperation under Washington's extended-deterrence strategy.

Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh confirmed to reporters that the exercise took place Wednesday. South Korea's Ministry of National Defense said earlier that the drills would involve hypothetical nuclear weapons use by the North.