▲ Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon's spokesperson, is seen answering questions during a daily press briefing at the Department of Defense in Washington on Aug. 22, 2023 in this captured image. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Pentagon-N Korea threat

Pentagon stresses 'main focus' on regional stability amid N. Korea's bellicose rhetoric

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) -- The U.S. Department of Defense on Thursday highlighted its "main focus" on maintaining regional stability and its opposition to conflict, as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called for strengthening war preparation efforts.

In a press briefing, Maj. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, also said that America's extended deterrence will continue to help contribute "directly" towards regional security. Extended deterrence refers to the U.S.' commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its allies.

"We are going to continue to stay very focused on working with our allies and our partners in the region to ensure that regional security, stability and prosperity are the main focus," he told reporters. "No one wants to see conflict in that region ... so that will continue to be our focus."

His remarks were in response to the North's tough rhetoric against Washington.

During a dayslong plenary session of the ruling Workers' Party's Central Committee last week, the North Korean leader called for stepped-up war preparation efforts, pointing to "unprecedented" U.S.-led confrontational moves against his country.

Kim also put forward a series of goals for 2024, including launching three additional military spy satellites and beefing up efforts to bolster his country's nuclear arsenal.

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