The head of the U.S. Pacific Command, Admiral Robert Willard, has warned that provocations by North Korea, including additional nuclear tests, would have serious consequences for the international community.

Top defense officials from 27 nations in the Asia Pacific --- including the United States, Japan, Russia and India --- met for the 13th Chiefs of Defense Conference in Seoul from Tuesday until Saturday.

Willard, who took part in the defense meetings, said Friday in a joint news conference with South Korean chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Han Min-koo that all parties are aware that North Korea’s nuclear capability posed a serious threat to stability in the Asia-Pacific region, not just to the Korean Peninsula.

Han said that South Korea is keeping a watch on North Korea for signs of nuclear testing and that Seoul would do its best to use the South Korea-U.S. alliance to deter the North from seeking future nuclear tests.

In addition, all members of the conference reportedly vowed to cooperate to contribute to regional stability and world peace.