U.S., South Korea revise North deterrence plan for 1st time in decade

SEOUL — The U.S. and South Korea have updated their strategy on deterring North Korea for the first time in a decade, at a time when growing military ties between the North and Russia are posing new security challenges to the alliance.

During an annual security consultative meeting in Seoul, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik approved a 20-page strategic document tailored to address North Korea’s growing threat. The document constitutes the first formal change to the strategy since 2013, suggesting that the allies are increasingly concerned about the trajectory of Pyongyang’s military power.