U.S., South Korea plan timing for hiking Seoul's role in self defense

SEOUL, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Top U.S. and South Korean generals met Monday to plan a transition aimed at increasing Seoul's role in defending itself against the North, officials say.

Meeting in the South Korean capital, Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his counterpart, Gen. Jung Seung-jo, discussed the timing for the change in operational command, Yonhap news agency reported.

The transition, scheduled for December 2015, would shift to South Korea the primary responsibility for defending the country in the event of a North Korean nuclear threat.

North Korea has repeatedly threatened to strike the United States and South Korea with nuclear-tipped missiles. Recent satellite images appear to show Pyongyang has increased activity intended to increase its inventory of nuclear materials.

The transition plan includes "detailed strategies" to deter a nuclear strike, said a senior official in the South Korean defense ministry.