U.S., South Korea agree to explore 'extended deterrence' to counter North Korea

The United States and South Korea have agreed to establish a high-level working group to assess options for "extended deterrence" to counter continued provocations by North Korea, with Defense Secretary Ash Carter making clear that "all U.S. capabilities" are on the table.

"We have today the capabilities for extended deterrence; we've had them for a long time . . . including all U.S. capabilities," Carter said during a joint press conference with South Korean Defense Minister Han Min Koo.

Han said both nations agreed to form an "integrated research team" early next year to explore options for extended deterrence as well as increased naval and cyber cooperation. Neither Carter nor Han, however, revealed any specifics.

"We discussed various measure to promote effective execution of extended deterrence measures on [the] Korean peninsula . . . such as the deployment of strategic assets permanently on the Korean peninsula on a rotational basis," Han said. "Regarding specific measures, additional review will be conducted."

Meanwhile, Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday that the United States planned to deploy a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense battery to South Korea as soon as possible.

The bilateral meeting between the two nations came on the heels of a failed North Korean missile test Wednesday, which the Pentagon says may have been a Musudan intermediate-range projectile.