U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in South Korea on Tuesday to hold talks with his counterpart Lee Jong-sup. Seoul has been seeking greater assurances from Washington amidst the growing nuclear threat from North Korea, APA reports citing Deutsche Welle.
Austin said that "tabletop exercises" would ensure allies see North Korean threats on the peninsula "eye-to-eye." He promised that the U.S. "is commited to using the full range of conventional and nuclear deterrants to protect South Korea."
The two countries also affirmed a trilateral defense relationship with Japan, with whom Seoul has long had a strained relationship. Austin said that cooperation with Tokyo "enhances all of our security."