U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis said Saturday the U.S. will actively support South Korea in its takeover of wartime operational command.
 
In a joint news conference in Seoul held after the bilateral Security Consultative Meeting (SCM), Mattis said that Washington's stance on the issue has always been consistent.
 
He said the two allies share a process of a conditions-based wartime command transfer, and he promised U.S. support. 
 
He also said the U.S. stance is that "military options" are intended to maintain peace and support diplomats in their negotiations.
 
He also stressed that U.S. strategic assets can be deployed around the world.
 
During the SCM, the two sides reaffirmed plans to "enhance rotational deployments of U.S. strategic assets in and around the peninsula."
 
In the joint news conference, Defense Minister Song Young-moo said that Seoul and Washington strongly denounce North Korea's reckless provocations and the two sides agreed to achieve the North's denuclearization through diplomatic efforts and a steadfast joint defense posture.
 
Song said they also agreed to further develop a joint plan by next year's Security Consultative Meeting to swiftly realize the transfer of wartime command in the direction of a stronger combined readiness.