South Korea’s defense chief says chances are "very low" North Korea will follow through on its threat of a strike around the U.S. territory of Guam.

During a National Defense Committee hearing on Monday, Defense Minister Song Young-moo ensured the judgment is shared among the military commanders of South Korea and the U.S.

In regards to progress in the North’s nuclear program, Song said the government judges the North has yet to enter the final stage of weaponizing nuclear materials, adding that for the moment, there is no possibility the North will attack South Korea or Japan with nuclear weapons.

The minister said Seoul will try to complete a provisional deployment of additional launchers of U.S. THAAD antimissile system as early as possible to respond to Pyongyang's continuous provocations, adding it will be done within the year.