South Korean, the United States and Japanese defense ministers announced an agreement to continually strengthen ties to prevent North Korean provocations.

The agreement to boost ties was jointly announced by South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, his U.S. counterpart Leon Panetta and Japanese Senior Vice Minister of Defense Watanabe Shu at the 11th Asia Security Summit in Singapore on June second.

The three officials agreed that North Korea’s recently failed attempt at a long-range missile launch as well as its continued provocations were a grave threat to peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the rest of the world.

They also agreed if North Korea were to attempt additional missile launches or nuclear tests, they would take reciprocating actions necessary and welcomed UN Security Council actions.

The officials said it was important to cooperate for regional peace and stability and agreed to expand ties between the three countries on humanitarian aid, help in times of natural disasters, guaranteed freedom in aerial flight, and the prevention of nuclear proliferation.