South Korea staged an independent tabletop exercise simulating a North Korean nuclear attack this year as part of efforts to hone response capabilities against the North’s military threats, the defense ministry said Friday.
The ministry noted the discussion-based exercise as one of its key accomplishments this year in a meeting presided over by Defense Minister Shin Won-sik to evaluate progress in the Defense Innovation 4.0 plan aimed at bolstering the country’s defense capabilities.
South Korea has previously staged tabletop drills focusing on the North’s possible use of nuclear weapons with U.S. officials.
The ministry said it plans to strengthen exercises next year under such scenarios, while continuing efforts to enhance the credibility of the U.S. “extended deterrence” commitment by increasing the deployment of key U.S. military assets.