Kerry confirms firm alliance with S. Korea against DPRK threats

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Monday confirmed a firm alliance between South Korea and the United States against any threats from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Kerry, who arrived in Seoul on Sunday afternoon for a two-day visit, said in his introductory remarks for talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se that the two allies "are united firmly in our determination to stand up against any threats from the DPRK."

The top U.S. diplomat said that the DPRK has indicated, with its recent behavior, "even greater unwillingness to be reasonable and come to the table to talk about denuclearization," according to Yonhap News Agency report.

He said that the U.S.-South Korean alliance "has literally never been stronger," noting that the alliance "is at its best state ever."

Before the bilateral dialogue, Kerry paid a courtesy call to South Korean President Park Geun-hye.

Kerry's visit came amid rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula as the DPRK said on May 9 that it had successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM).

If confirmed, the SLBM would pose a "serious challenge" to the peninsula as well as the United States as it could mean the DPRK's submarine secretly sailing underwater and conducting a missile attack against the U.S. mainland.

Kerry and Yun plan to hold a joint press conference. And then, he will visit the U.S. military base in Seoul and deliver a lecture on cyber security at Korea University later in the day before going back home. Endi