U.S. Prepared for Overwhelming Response to North Korean ICBM Threat: Official

New York: A senior U.S. military official warned that America can respond in an "overwhelming" way in the "time, place and manner of our choosing" in the event of a North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) attack, underscoring the strength of the United States' nuclear deterrence system.According to Yonhap News Agency, Maj. Gen. Jason Armagost, the commander of the Eighth Air Force and of the Joint-Global Strike Operations Center, made these remarks while addressing concerns over America's nuclear umbrella for South Korea. His comments came amid fears that North Korea is advancing its capabilities to strike the continental U.S. with nuclear weapons."It is problematic for them (North Korea) to have an ICBM ... With current and imaginable capabilities, it is extremely difficult to attack that system of systems," Armagost stated during a forum hosted by The Korea Society in New York. He emphasized that the U.S. could respond in a decisive manner to any ICBM aggression.Armagost highlighted the U.S.' nuclear triad system, which includes ICBMs, strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM), as the backbone of its strategic deterrence capabilities. "It's why we have a triad: ICBMs on alert, SLBMs for an assured second strike capability and bombers to be a forward and, or visible presence," he explained.The concept of a second strike capability, crucial for deterrence, ensures a country can retaliate with nuclear force even after sustaining a first strike. SLBMs are central to this capability, providing a secure and reliable means of retaliation.Pyongyang's efforts to develop credible ICBM capabilities have raised concerns about the U.S.' commitment to its treaty ally, South Korea. There is apprehension that the threat of North Korean ICBMs targeting American cities could deter the U.S. from fulfilling its defense obligations to South Korea.