U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell is stressing that the United States must keep a forward-deployed military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Campbell made the remark during a Senate hearing Thursday, saying that the U.S. must keep its military strength in the Asia-Pacific region to demonstrate that the U.S. remains the ultimate guarantor of peace and stability.

Campbell added that the U.S. is determined to observe defense accords it has signed with its allies, stressing that there is no room for error on the matter.

On relations with South Korea, Campbell said Washington is actively working with Seoul to advance the two nation’s bilateral military alliance and to establish a comprehensive partnership.