In a rare move, a top South Korean defense official visited a U.S. military base and publicly inspected B-52 bombers, a nuclear-capable strategic asset that the U.S. could deploy as part of efforts to deter North Korea.

ROK vice defense minister Shin Beom-chul visited U.S. Joint Base Andrews during a visit to Washington for the upcoming Extended Deterrence Strategy Consultation Group (EDSCG) meeting.

“U.S. strategic assets are sure-fire tools to show ROK citizens, as well as North Korea” that the U.S. has “strong capabilities” and commitment to providing a nuclear umbrella for South Korea, the ROK defense ministry stated in