South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol asked the U.S. to push forward discussions about strengthening extended deterrence to allay ROK citizens’ concerns about North Korean weapons of mass destruction.

Yoon made the request to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during a meeting at the presidential office on Tuesday, a few weeks after the South Korean leader remarked that Seoul could rapidly develop nuclear weapons if DPRK threats become more “serious.”

“As North Korea’s nuclear threat is increasing day by day, we ask you to advance consultations between the ROK and the U.S. so that we can craft an effective and