President Joe Biden and South Korean counterpart Yoon Suk-yeol agreed on Saturday to conduct larger military exercises and deploy more US weapons if needed to contain North Korea, Voice of America reports..

The leaders also offered to send a consignment of vaccines against COVID-19 to Pyongyang and allowed for the possibility of negotiations with Kim Jong-un..

Biden and Yoon Suk Yeol said the two countries' longstanding alliance must evolve not only to counter threats from North Korea, but also to keep the Indo-Pacific region "

The two leaders met today in Seoul for the first time since the inauguration of the new South Korean president 11 days ago.. Relations between longtime allies have been clouded by intelligence suggesting that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is ready to conduct nuclear or missile tests during the US President's visit to the Korean Peninsula..

Yoon expressed a desire to receive additional assurances that the United States will strengthen the deterrence of threats from North Korea.. In a joint statement, Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defend South Korea, if necessary, with nuclear weapons..

Both sides agreed to consider expanding joint military exercises, which have been scaled back in recent years due to COVID-19, and strengthening initiatives to reduce tensions with the North..

According to the statement, the United States also promised to deploy "

Both leaders said they are committed to North Korea's nuclear disarmament and are open to diplomatic talks with Pyongyang..

“As for whether I meet with the leader of North Korea, it will depend on how sincere and serious he is,” Biden said at a joint press conference..

The U.S.-South Korean alliance that emerged during the 1950-1953 Korean War must evolve further if the Indo-Pacific region remains "

He stressed that the alliance was built on resisting the forceful change of borders, clearly referring to the war that Russia is now waging against Ukraine and China's claim to control Taiwan..

Joint Statement Calls for Peace and Stability in the Taiwan Strait and Freedom of Navigation in the South China Sea.

Changes in international trade and supply chains have given the United States and South Korea new momentum to deepen relations, Yoon said, calling for cooperation in electric batteries and semiconductors..

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Biden took advantage of the visit to speak out about South Korean companies' investment in the United States, including the intention of Hyundai Motor Group to invest about $5.5 billion to build America's first dedicated all-electric car and battery plant in the United States..

On Friday, the leaders of the two countries visited Samsung's semiconductor plant, where Biden said countries like the US and South Korea needed to work more closely to protect economic and national security, as well as "

Yun said the concept of economic security will include cooperation in case of shocks in the foreign exchange market..

The South Korean president, keen to play a more active role in regional affairs, said his country will join the Biden Indo-Pacific Economic Plan (IPEF), to be announced during the trip. This will allow Seoul to set standards for labor law, environmental protection and supply chains..

While White House officials have attempted to downplay any clear statements of opposition to China, the theme of Biden's trip has drawn attention from Beijing..

“We hope that the United States will back up its words with deeds and work with the countries of the region to strengthen solidarity and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, and not plot division and confrontation,” Chinese envoy for relations with the Korean Peninsula Liu Xiaoming said on Twitter..

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