U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Washington will continue to pursue missile defense partnerships with Japan and South Korea in preparation for military provocations from North Korea.

He made the remarks Monday while on a flight from Hawaii to Tokyo.

Gates said the U.S. is seeking ways to strengthen the missile defense partnership it has in place with Japan.

He also implied that the U.S. will continue to support South Korea’s attempts to establish its own missile defense system in the wake of North Korea’s latest missile launches.

Gates is scheduled to arrive in Seoul Wednesday after a two-day visit to Japan.