The Ministry of National Defense said Monday that officials from South Korea and the U.S. plan to hold a tabletop exercise against nuclear threats from North Korea.

The meeting, hosted by the allies’ Deterrence Strategy Committee, will postulate a situation in which Pyongyang poses threats with its nuclear program and missiles. Tabletop exercise refers to discussion-based sessions on contingency plans for simulated scenarios.

During the tabletop exercise, allies will assess North Korean threats and discuss responses using the political, diplomatic and military capacities of the allies. This will include a possible pre-emptive attack with strategic assets, as set up under the allies’ wartime plans, such as Operation Plan 5015. 

It marks the first tabletop exercise since the Deterrence Strategy Committee was launched in April 2015 to restrain and react to North Korean threats, namely those posed by weapons of mass destruction.

“As this year’s exercise is being conducted after the North’s consecutive provocations -- its fourth nuclear testing and long-range missile launch -- we expect a sincere and practical discussion to take place,” the ministry said.

A total of 40 defense and foreign affairs officials from the two countries will participate. South Korean delegates will be headed by Deputy Defense Minister Yoo Jeh-seung while U.S officials will be jointly led by Elaine Bunn, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for nuclear and missile defense policy, and U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia Abraham Denmark.

By Yoon Min-sik  (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)