Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo spoke yesterday to discuss North Korea's Sept. 2 test of a nuclear device, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said.
In a statement summarizing the conversation, White said Mattis assured Song that the United States remains ironclad in its commitment to South Korea's defense.
Emphasizing Threat Response
"He further emphasized that any threat to the United States, its territories or its allies will be met with a massive, effective and overwhelming military response, White said.
Mattis and Song discussed avenues for improving bilateral, trilateral and regional defense cooperation in light of the threat posed by North Korea and to maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region, she added.
Previous Discussions
Song met with Mattis at the Pentagon on Aug. 30, a day after North Korea shot and intermediate-range ballistic missile over Japan.