South Korea and the United States are considering the option of rotational stationary deployment of U.S. strategic military assets such as nuclear-capable bombers, aircrafts, and submarines in South Korea or nearby as part of joint efforts to reinforce deterrence against increasing North Korean nuclear threat.

The presence of strategic weapons in a show of force will not only send strong warning to North Korea but they could be effectively put to use if Pyongyang dares to use nuclear weapons, the defense ministry of Seoul said.

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter issued a joint communiqué on the commitment in Thursday’s annual defense ministers’ talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the State Department in Washington, U.S, focused on forming extended deterrence strategy.

U.S. strategic weapons will be deployed in and near South Korea in a cycle of several months throughout the year. Those weapons staying in, on and off South Korea will be kept in readiness even to launch a self-defending preemptive strike in case of emergency, according to sources.

Seoul’s Defense Minister official said the agreements including the study on strategic weapons deployment will be further discussed at “KIDD ad-hoc Consultation Mechanism” (KCM), a new crisis management dialogue to be set up soon between South Korea and the U.S. and the existing Deterrence Strategic Committee (DSC).

The strategic assets to be deployed on a permanent basis include military units and forces controlled by the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM). Most of these assets are nuclear capable. U.S. Air Force’s B-1B, B-2 and B-52 long-range bombers or F-22 stealth fighter jets can be deployed. Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and cruise-missile submarines are also mentioned as permanently deployed weapons.

South Korea and the U.S, also agreed to strengthen cooperation between naval forces of the two countries to counter North Korean sea threats such as a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM). The allies will expand the scope and execution of the ROK-U.S. naval training events, including combined ballistic missile defense and anti-submarine exercises.

By Lee Jin-myung and Ahn Doo-won

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