Seoul, Aug 11 (IANS): Top security advisors of South Korea and the US discussed over phone on Friday the Korean peninsula issue, the presidential Blue House said.

In a 40-minute-long conversation, Chung Eui-yong, President Moon Jae-in's security advisor, and his US counterpart H.R. McMaster discussed the security situation on the peninsula and surrounding regions, he said.

The two leaders also talked about countermeasures against North Korea's provocation escalating tensions, he said.

They reconfirmed the promise to closely and transparently cooperate with each other on "phased measures" that will be taken to ensure security and safety of people in the two countries, he said.

Tension escalated in the region after Pyongyang tested intercontinental ballistic missiles, known as Hwasong-14, twice in July.

Pyongyang on Thursday warned Washington that it could fire intermediate-range ballistic missiles near the waters 30 to 40 km off the coast of the US island of Guam in the Pacific.

US President Donald Trump said North Korea would be met with "fire and fury" if it continues threats against the US territory.