The United States says it well prepared to defend South Korea against any provocation from North Korea.

Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters Thursday that the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains strong and that the U.S. is prepared for a multitude of contingencies, were there to be provocative action taken by the North.

Morrell’s remarks come as North Korea declared on Tuesday that it was preparing to send a satellite into orbit as part of its space program. South Korea, the United States and Japan suspect the launch is a test of a long-range ballistic missile.