Seoul, Dec 20 (IANS): Acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho and US Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo concurred Friday on the importance of trilateral security cooperation with Japan to deter North Korea's threats and vowed efforts to further strengthen such cooperation, the South Korean defence ministry said.

Kim and Paparo discussed the issue as they met at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul, on the sidelines of a change-of-command ceremony marking the inauguration of new US Forces Korea Commander General Xavier Brunson.

In their meeting, both sides agreed that the South Korea-US alliance remains "ironclad," and vowed to bolster cooperation and communications to uphold it with an overwhelming combined defence posture, the ministry said.

For such a goal, they concurred on the need to smoothly push ahead with pre-planned combined drills, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kim was quoted as saying that South Korea's external policy remains unchanged and emphasised that the military remains committed to maintaining a firm combined defence posture under the acting president.

Friday's meeting was attended by Brunson as well as US Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg and General Kang Shin-chul, Deputy Commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command.

Earlier in the day, General Xavier Brunson took office as the new commander of US Forces Korea (USFK), vowing a continued commitment to upholding the South Korea-US alliance amid persistent threats by North Korea.

Brunson replaced General Paul LaCamera to lead the 28,500-strong American troops in South Korea in a change-of-command ceremony held at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometres south of Seoul, attended by top officials from both nations, including acting Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho and US Indo-Pacific Command Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo.

As USFK commander, Brunson also serves as Commander of the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command (CFC) and the UN Command.

Brunson emphasised the importance of the alliance as well as cooperation with the wider international community in maintaining "collective security" and a "rules-based international order" in responding to potential threats.

In his address, the new commander cited a Bible verse that goes: "One may be overpowered. Two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

"This first reflects the strength of our alliance, the solidarity of our trilateral partnerships and the resilience of our multinational coalition. United, we are stronger and more capable of meeting any challenge," he said, Yonhap news agency reported.

LaCamera, who is retiring after nearly 44 years of service, noted how South Korea, a nation that stands as a "beacon of freedom and prosperity" holds a "special place" in his heart.