The head of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee says Washington should expand its missile defense budget to respond to threats by North Korea and Iran.

The remark by Republican Rep. Mac Thornberry came at a press briefing Monday.

Thornberry said the importance of missile defense is increasing, adding other countries around the world are manufacturing missiles that are harder to shoot down. He emphasized that the U.S. should also expand its missile defense system and improve missile-defense-related technologies.

Reuters said the chairman's remarks indicate the U.S. Congress will back military spending to counter the North even though President Donald Trump, while on the campaign trail, raised doubts about future funding to defend allies.

Reuters also pointed out that the North is further raising concerns in Washington with its preparations for a new ballistic missile test. 

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis reaffirmed the alliance's decision to deploy U.S. THAAD missile interceptors within this year during their meeting last Friday. 

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