SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's defense minister and the top U.S. military official in charge of the Asia-Pacific region agreed Sunday to step up joint efforts to counter North Korea's threats.
In a meeting with Adm. Harry Harris, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, Defense Minister Song Young-moo said it's more important than ever to maintain a strong combined defense posture against North Korea's rapid development of nuclear bombs and missiles, according to his ministry.
The admiral arrived in South Korea earlier in the day to discuss North Korean threats and inspect the allies' joint military drills.
Song noted the North's recent test-launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
He emphasized that the North's provocations are a serious threat and an urgent challenge to the international community.
Harris agreed that the regional security conditions are in danger due to the North's weapons ambitions and reckless provocations.
Read the full story at YonhapNews