Military leaders from South Korea and the United States discussed ways to enhance the Seoul-Washington alliance and the combined defense posture.

According to Seoul’s defense ministry, vice defense minister and acting defense minister Kim Seon-ho held a videoconference on Thursday with Gen. Paul LaCamera, commander of the Combined Forces Command.

The two sides agreed that the alliance has consistently grown stronger despite changes to security environments at home and abroad, before affirming that the alliance remains steadfast.

LaCamera said the U.S. respects South Korea’s sovereignty and is prepared to respond to any type of external threat.

He pledged to ensure that the allies’ combined exercises and operations are not weakened by external factors.

The two sides agreed on the gravity of the current security environment and resolved to bolster communication to deter North Korea’s provocations and manage the current situation in a stable manner based on the firm alliance.