In response to recent missile launches by the North Korean government, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joe Dunford held a 30-minute telemeeting with the Chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Sun Jin-Lee to assess the security situation for allies in the area.
On Mar. 6, four North Korean ballistic missiles were launched from the northwest corner of the country, which traveled over the Korean Peninsula, and landed approximately 620 miles off the coast of Japan. The missiles landed near the Akita Prefecture, which is included in Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
The generals discussed North Korea’s nuclear and missile situation, along with what potential response measures could be taken. Both generals said North Korea could conduct provocative actions during the Key Resolve/Foal Eagle exercise, an operation which involves deploying troops around the Korean Peninsula, or in connection with major political events within the next month.
“The alliance between the United States and South Korea is ironclad,” Dunford said. “The combined defense posture is firm regardless of the political situation in Korea,”
This was the second phone call between the two generals since Feb. 1, and served to reaffirm the close ties between the two nations in managing the security situation in and around Korea.