US to increase weapons deployment to counter North Korea threat

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin shakes hands with South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup after talks in Seoul (Jeon Heon-kyun/Pool/AP)

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said America will increase its deployment of advanced weapons such as fighter jets and bombers to the Korean Peninsula as it strengthens joint training and operational planning with South Korea in response to a growing North Korean nuclear threat.

Mr Austin made the comments in Seoul after he and South Korean Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup agreed to further expand their combined military exercises, including a resumption of live-fire demonstrations, and continue a “timely and co-ordinated” deployment of US strategic assets to the region, according to their offices.