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Top leaders of the US armed forces gather for a joint press conference at Osan Air Force Base in Pyongtaek

On Aug. 22, some of the top leaders of the US armed forces – the heads of the Pacific Command, the Strategic Command, and the Missile Defense Agency – held a joint press conference at Osan Air Base. It’s very unusual for the American military officials who hold the authority to make security-related decisions in the event of war on the Korean Peninsula to hold a joint press conference in Korea.

The military leaders unanimously reconfirmed the US defense commitment to South Korea during the press conference, with Strategic Command chief Gen. John Hyten promising that the US would deploy all strategic assets to the Korean Peninsula to deter a North Korean provocation. This serves both to assuage South Korean security concerns while also sending a warning message the North.

“We hope and we work for diplomatic solutions to the challenge presented by Kim Jong-un," said Adm. Harry Harris, head of the Pacific Command, who made clear that "a strong diplomatic effort backed by a strong military effort is key." During an earlier meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-hwa, Harris said, "Diplomacy should always be the main battery, and the defense military wing should be a support.

It’s significant that the American military leadership confirmed that the basic position of the US government is that the North Korean nuclear issue must be resolved through diplomacy and dialogue. It also lines up with the stance of President Moon Jae-in, who has already declared on several occasions that there must not be another war on the Korean Peninsula. This is a point that deserves the attention of certain conservative groups in South Korea that clamor about war being an option.

On Aug. 22, the spokesperson of the North Korean military’s delegation to Panmunjeom released a statement that defined the Ulchi-Freedom Guardian joint military exercises between South Korea and the US, which began on Aug. 21, as a military provocation and once again threatened “merciless retaliation and ruthless punishment.” The North also criticized the press conference by the US military leaders, stating that, “the top brass of the US imperial invasion forces are carrying out a rehearsal for war in South Korea.” Uriminzokkiri, an online mouthpiece for the North Korean regime, engaged in an unnecessary propaganda campaign by releasing videos showing an enveloping missile strike on Guam.

The US reduced the number of troops taking part in this year’s Ulchi-Freedom Guardian joint military exercises by 7,500 compared to the previous year. It’s evident that this action is attempting to preserve the conciliatory atmosphere that has formed following the “war of words” between North Korea and the US. While the press conference by the American military leaders included a stern warning for North Korea, they were actually emphasizing that that a peaceful solution is the priority of the US government. Pyongyang must not mistakenly conclude that the moment has come to gain even greater concessions by making nuclear threats and raising tensions. Now that a conciliatory atmosphere is finally in place, albeit faintly, we urge North Korea to respond in kind so that we can move on to actual dialogue and negotiations.

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