U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis has emphasized that no other nation needs to be concerned about a THAAD battery in South Korea other than North Korea.

Mattis made the remark to reporters Wednesday aboard his plane heading to South Korea as part of his first overseas tour as the new defense chief.

According to the Pentagon on Thursday, Mattis was asked whether an intercontinental ballistic missile test-launch by the North is imminent. He responded that the North has often behaved in a provocative manner, adding that it is difficult to “anticipate” what the regime will do.

Mattis, who began a two-day visit to South Korea on Thursday, said it is necessary for him to speak with the South Korean leadership and hear their evaluations of the current situation on the Korean Peninsula.

While apparently seeking to assure countries against the THAAD deployment such as China, Mattis assured that the antimissile battery is for the defense of the U.S. allies' people and for U.S. troops who are committed to their defense.

He said if it wasn't for the provocative behavior of North Korea, there would be no need for THAAD.

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