WASHINGTON -- Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a secure call with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, May 24, to discuss assessments and response measures for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) recent ballistic missile launches. Secretary Austin reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of the ROK and the capability of the U.S.-ROK Alliance to respond to any DPRK aggression.

The two leaders strongly condemned today’s missile launches and pledged to work closely together to address the serious threat the DPRK’s provocative actions pose to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, the region, and the global community more broadly. Both leaders agreed to remain in close contact on response options, further discuss trilateral security cooperation with Japan, and continue their efforts to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.