The new head of U.S. Pacific Command says the U.S. military will continue to track North Korean vessels suspected of carrying illicit weapons.

Admiral Robert Willard made the statement in a written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Willard said he will support Washington’s efforts to implement sanctions against the communist state by tracking suspicious North Korean ships.

He added that the North’s efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles pose serious threats to the U.S. and its allies. He vowed to keep a close eye on any North Korean action that might violate a new U.N. resolution sanctioning Pyongyang.

Willard also reaffirmed Washington’s intention to continue to provide a nuclear umbrella over South Korea and Japan.

He added that the transfer of wartime operations command to the South Korean military will be carried out as planned by 2012.