US, S Korea discuss missile launches by North

Washington:US Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin on Saturday met his South Korean counterpart Lee Jong-sup in Singapore to discuss the recent missile launches by the North.
Both leaders decided to coordinate closely on responses to future Pyongyang’s provocations and re-affirmed that trilateral cooperation with Japan sends a strong deterrent signal to the region, according to Defence Department.
The US and South Korea committed to continuing robust conversations on extended deterrence and trilateral security cooperation.
The department further said, “Secretary Austin and Minister Lee also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific security environment. Both sides affirmed the importance of the international rules-based order, peaceful resolution of disputes, and freedom of navigation.
“They also confirmed the importance of preserving peace and stability inthe Taiwan Strait.”
During the meeting, Secretary Austin underscored that the US commitment to the defense of Seoul is “ironclad and underpinned by the full range of US capabilities, including nuclear”.
UNI