Only to you. The key phrase in your post: U.S. will meet full range of deterrent or security commitments... today's claim serves only to raise tensions while depriving the North Korean people.
The stuff you call "mush" is recognition that to do anything overt will result in the deaths of a couple of million South Koreans. That's not an acceptable choice.
The steel fist, however, is the term "full range of detterent or security commitments." There's a whole lot implied by that.
Further, the talk about "depriving the North Korean people" sounds like the run-up to a more active role in NK regime change.
The steel fist, however, is the term "full range of detterent or security commitments." There's a whole lot implied by that.
The deaths of a couple of million South Koreans, for instance? The steel fist is an empty threat, and the North Koreans know it.
Are there enough fed-up North Koreans in exile to organize an overthrow of Lil' Kim?