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| Mattis warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' response to nuclear use | Mattis warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' response to nuclear use |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US defence secretary James Mattis has said any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response. | The US defence secretary James Mattis has said any use of nuclear weapons by North Korea would be met with an "effective and overwhelming" response. |
| Mr Mattis is in South Korea, where he has been assuring Seoul it has America's continuing support. | Mr Mattis is in South Korea, where he has been assuring Seoul it has America's continuing support. |
| He also reconfirmed plans to deploy a US missile defence system in South Korea later this year. | He also reconfirmed plans to deploy a US missile defence system in South Korea later this year. |
| North Korea's repeated missile and nuclear tests and aggressive statements continue to alarm and anger the region. | North Korea's repeated missile and nuclear tests and aggressive statements continue to alarm and anger the region. |
| The US has a considerable military presence in South Korea and Japan, as part of a post-war defence deal. There are just under 28,500 US troops in the country, for which Seoul pays about $900m (£710m) annually. | The US has a considerable military presence in South Korea and Japan, as part of a post-war defence deal. There are just under 28,500 US troops in the country, for which Seoul pays about $900m (£710m) annually. |
| President Donald Trump has previously said he wants both South Korea and Japan to pay more towards maintaining that presence. | President Donald Trump has previously said he wants both South Korea and Japan to pay more towards maintaining that presence. |
| Mr Mattis has been using his visit to reassure South Korea that the Trump administration "remains steadfast" in its "iron-clad" defence commitments to the region, said the Pentagon. | Mr Mattis has been using his visit to reassure South Korea that the Trump administration "remains steadfast" in its "iron-clad" defence commitments to the region, said the Pentagon. |
| Speaking after talks at the defence ministry with his South Korean counterpart Han Min-koo, Mr Mattis told reporters that "any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming". | Speaking after talks at the defence ministry with his South Korean counterpart Han Min-koo, Mr Mattis told reporters that "any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming". |
| North Korea conducted its fifth test of a nuclear device last year, and claims it is capable of carrying out a nuclear attack on the US, though experts are still unconvinced its technology has progressed that far. | North Korea conducted its fifth test of a nuclear device last year, and claims it is capable of carrying out a nuclear attack on the US, though experts are still unconvinced its technology has progressed that far. |
| It has also said in recent weeks that it has a new intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of reaching the US mainland, which it is prepared to test launch at any time. | |
| How advanced is North Korea's nuclear programme? | How advanced is North Korea's nuclear programme? |
| North Korea's missile programme | North Korea's missile programme |
| Under the Obama administration, the US and South Korea agreed to deploy a US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system in South Korea. | Under the Obama administration, the US and South Korea agreed to deploy a US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defence system in South Korea. |
| Its supporters say it is aimed solely at defending from North Korean threats. But China and Russia have complained it is unnecessary and provocative. | Its supporters say it is aimed solely at defending from North Korean threats. But China and Russia have complained it is unnecessary and provocative. |
| Beijing says it goes "far beyond the defence needs of the Korean peninsula". | Beijing says it goes "far beyond the defence needs of the Korean peninsula". |
| It is also unpopular with some South Koreans, who fear missile bases could become targets and endanger people who live nearby. | It is also unpopular with some South Koreans, who fear missile bases could become targets and endanger people who live nearby. |
| Speaking on Thursday, Mr Mattis sought to reassure China, saying there is "no other nation that needs to be concerned about THAAD other than North Korea". | Speaking on Thursday, Mr Mattis sought to reassure China, saying there is "no other nation that needs to be concerned about THAAD other than North Korea". |
| Mr Han said Mr Mattis's visit "communicates the strongest warning to North Korea". | Mr Han said Mr Mattis's visit "communicates the strongest warning to North Korea". |
| Mr Mattis will travel to Japan later on Friday, where there are a further 50,000 soldiers plus their dependents and support staff in Japan. The US pays about $5.5bn for its Japanese bases in 2016, with Japan paying a further $4bn. | Mr Mattis will travel to Japan later on Friday, where there are a further 50,000 soldiers plus their dependents and support staff in Japan. The US pays about $5.5bn for its Japanese bases in 2016, with Japan paying a further $4bn. |