Seoul:<Text>

Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Joseph Yun reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between the allies against North Korean threats and agreed to further advance their alliance, the defense ministry said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the call came as Ahn and Yun met in Seoul to discuss the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and ways to strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance. In the meeting, both sides concurred that North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats and illicit military cooperation with Russia have emerged as a grave threat, stressing the need for close cooperation to effectively deter and respond to such threats.

Both sides also agreed to cooperate on advancing their alliance in a mutually beneficial and forward-looking manner while maintaining a firm combined defense posture. Ahn was quoted as saying that the two countries have always stood together, describing the all iance as akin to the "two sides of a coin."

Friday's meeting came as the allies are conducting their annual summertime Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise.