Carter Gets Update on 'Provocative' North Korean Action

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, January 7, 2016 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter received an update today from the commander of U.S. Pacific Command about recent events on the Korean Peninsula, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook told reporters today.

North Korea claimed yesterday to have conducted a successful hydrogen bomb test.

Discussions between Carter and Navy Adm. Harry Harris included "North Korea's latest provocative act, as well as steps to further our military-to-military dialogue with allies in the region," Cook said.

The United States, he added, is committed to the defense of its close ally South Korea.

Ironclad Commitment

"We're there every day in South Korea,” he said. “There are more than 28,000 U.S. forces on the Korean Peninsula right now. We stand resolutely with our South Korean allies, our commitment to them is ironclad, and we will do everything we can to ensure their defense."

Carter spoke to his South Korean counterpart yesterday, Cook noted.

"The government has concluded that a nuclear test took place, but we're still assessing new information we've received at this point in time," he said.

Officials hope to receive more information that might give them a better understanding of exactly what took place in North Korea, he said. "Our analysis again indicates that it's not consistent with the North Korean claims of a hydrogen bomb test," Cook told reporters.