US official promises ‘dynamic response’ if North Korea tests nuclear

The United States and its Asian allies flew dozens of fighter jets over the waters surrounding the Korean Peninsula on Tuesday as their diplomats discussed a coordinated response to a possible imminent North Korean nuclear test.

The flights came as US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman traveled to Seoul for talks with South Korea and Japanese officials on the North Korean threat, and warned of a “rapid and dynamic” response, as Washington and a United Nations’ watchdog agency have said signs indicate Pyongyang could soon set off its first atomic device since 2017.

“There would be a swift and forceful response to such a test,” Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said in Seoul in a Tuesday meeting with her South Korean counterpart.

“Any nuclear tests would be in complete violation of UN Security Council resolutions,” she said, adding it would be destabilizing to the world security. Sherman didn’t elaborate on specific measures, but suggested the US could work with its allies to levy punishments.