N.Korean nuke, missile programs pose ongoing threat: Blinken

Washington, Jan 7 : North Koreas nuclear and missile programs pose an ongoing threat to the region and the international community, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Blinken made the remarks on Thursday during annual security consultative talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoshimasa Hayashi, that also involved US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"Meanwhile, the DPRKs unlawful nuclear, missile programs pose an ongoing threat.And we saw that again this week with the most recent launch," Blinken said on Thursday, referring to North Koreas test launch of a self-claimed hypersonic missile on Wednesday.

DPRK stands for the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, the Norths official name.Blinken noted threats facing the allies included what he called Chinas "provocative actions" in the region and Russias military build-up along the Ukraine border.

"So, to address these evolving threats, our alliance must not only strengthen the tools we have but also develop new ones," he told the virtual meeting."And I think thats really the focus of the discussions that are about to happen.

"On his part, Austin reiterated challenges posed by North Korea and others in the Indo-Pacific region."Were meeting against the backdrop of increased tensions and challenges to the free and stable and secure Indo-Pacific region that we both seek -- challenges posed by North Koreas nuclear ambitions and by the coercive and aggressive behaviour of the Peoples Republic of China.

"So together we are taking bold steps to improve our alliances, bolster our readiness and strengthen what I call integrated deterrence," he added.This weeks missile test marked North Koreas first missile launch since October 2021.

Pyongyang has claimed to have successfully test launched its first hypersonic missile last September.ksk/ #NKorean #nuke #missile #programs #pose #threat #Jan #Washington #Austin #Washington #Democratic.