South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back met acting U.S. Ambassador Joseph Yun in Seoul on Friday, the ministry said. 

Ahn thanked Yun for his efforts to bolster the alliance since taking up the post in January and stressed the importance of “deepening and advancing ties through close communication.” 

Yun congratulated Ahn on his appointment and reaffirmed Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to the alliance. 

The two sides voiced their shared concern that North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs and illicit military cooperation with Russia pose a grave threat beyond the Korean Peninsula. 

They agreed that Seoul and Washington must coordinate actively to deter and counter these challenges while maintaining a firm combined defense posture. 

Ahn said during the meeting that the South Korea-U.S. alliance has always been like the two wheels of a cart, or the two sides of a coin.