Home   >   News   >   U.S.   >   US says closely monitoring tensions on Korean Peninsula

US says closely monitoring tensions on Korean Peninsula

August 20, 2015
A K10 Ammunition Re-supply Vehicle rolls along a road in the South Korean border city of Paju on Aug. 17, 2015, as South Korea and the United States launched a joint military exercise amid North Korea's threat to retaliate with "the strongest military counteraction" against the drill. The Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, the world's largest computerized military drill aimed at defending the South from a North Korean attack, kicked off earlier in the day in South Korea for a 12-day run. (Yonhap)

A K10 Ammunition Re-supply Vehicle rolls along a road in the South Korean border city of Paju on Aug. 17, 2015, as South Korea and the United States launched a joint military exercise amid North Korea’s threat to retaliate with “the strongest military counteraction” against the drill. The Ulchi Freedom Guardian exercise, the world’s largest computerized military drill aimed at defending the South from a North Korean attack, kicked off earlier in the day in South Korea for a 12-day run. (Yonhap)

WASHINGTON (Yonhap) — The United States said Thursday it is closely monitoring tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and reaffirmed its commitment to South Korea’s defense after the two Koreas exchanged artillery fire across their heavily armed border.

“The United States is closely monitoring the current situation on the Korean Peninsula. We are in close contact with our Republic of Korea allies and remain committed to the defense of the ROK,” said Cmdr. Bill Urban, a Defense Department spokesman, in comments sent to Yonhap News Agency.

“We will continue to monitor the situation. The safety of our personnel and families is paramount and we will take prudent measures to ensure their well-being,” he said without elaborating on what the “prudent measures” would be.

Earlier in the day, South Korea fired back at North Korea following the North’s firing of a shell at a South Korean front-line military unit in the western area of the heavily fortified border. No damage has been reported so far.