The United States and South Korea have revised their joint "deterrence strategy" on North Korea for the first time in 10 years.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik had talks in Seoul at an annual security meeting on Monday. After the meeting, they released a joint statement.
It says the two countries have updated their bilateral deterrence strategy to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats.
It also says the revised strategy reflects guidance on ways to leverage the full range of US military capabilities, including US nuclear capabilities, in preparation against North Korea's nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction attacks.
Austin told reporters that the US commitment to defending South Korea remains ironclad. He added this includes using a full range of its nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities.
Shin stressed that if North Korea provokes war, what will be eliminated will be the Kim Jong Un regime.