WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a phone call today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Suh Wook to discuss the security environment on the Korean peninsula.

The two leaders strongly condemned yesterday’s ballistic missile launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), which they noted threatens the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region. They committed to continued close cooperation to enhance the U.S.-ROK Alliance deterrence and defense posture.

The Secretary reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK, leveraging the full range of U.S. military capabilities, to include extended deterrent capabilities.

During the call, Secretary Austin also congratulated Minister Suh on his successful tenure as Minister of National Defense, noting that the Alliance has been strengthened under Suh’s leadership.