Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford hosted the 41st Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S. Military Committee Meeting (MCM) at the Pentagon today.

The Republic of Korea delegation was led by ROK Chairman General Sun Jin Lee and included Rear Adm. Chung An Ho, acting chief director of strategic planning, ROK JCS J-5.

Joining General Dunford were Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris; and Commander, Combined Forces Command, Gen. Vincent Brooks.

General Dunford affirmed that despite the nuclear and missile threat from North Korea, the ROK-U.S. Alliance will continue to grow firmer and stronger, and the U.S. will continue its ironclad commitment to the defense of the Korean Peninsula. General Lee stressed that the ROK and U.S. will continue its proactive cooperation, including establishment of a practical collaboration system and THAAD deployment, in order to effectively respond to North Korean nuclear and missile threats.

Both senior military leaders strongly denounced North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, stating they pose a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula, to the region, and to global peace and stability. The generals agreed to continuously develop effective response measures in order to deter, and if necessary, respond to additional provocation from North Korea.

ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meetings provide strategic directive and operational guidance for the defense of the Republic of Korea and discusses the alliance's military issues. It has been hosted alternately by ROK and U.S. since the first meeting in 1978.