Panetta, Kim affirm security cooperation against N Korean

Pentagon Chief Leon Panetta and South Korea's Defense Minister Kim Kwan-Jin on Wednesday affirmed their bilateral commitment to ensuring security in the Korean Peninsula amidst growing security concerns over North Korea. Following their meeting at the Pentagon, Panetta said U.S-Republic of Korea alliance will remain "a cornerstone of stability in Northeast Asia into the future", while assuring the U.S. stands "fully committed to the security of the Republic of Korea". "Make no mistake; we will provide the forces and the military capabilities needed to help maintain security on the Korean Peninsula. And we are also committed to deepening and adapting our defense cooperation to meet evolving security challenges in the region," Panetta asserted during a joint press briefing following talks with Kim.  Much of the conversation was on the serious threat posed by North Korea to regional and global stability. With both officials detailing North Korea's "pattern of defiance and provocative actions" such as test firing a ballistic missile. "Minister Kim and I reaffirmed that North Korea's aggression or military provocation will not be tolerated and that we will continue working shoulder to shoulder to demonstrate our combined resolve," Panetta said. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation against space and cyberspace threats, welcoming the signing of space cooperation terms of reference for bilateral military space cooperation, which creates the U.S.-Republic of Korea defense working group that will tackle cyber defense issues. The Pentagon has said North Korea's government has a "significant" cyber warfare capability that it continues to improve. Earlier this month, Panetta warned the Pentagon and U.S. intelligence agencies are seeing an increase in threats that could become as devastating as the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks if they are not stopped.