Washington, Jumada I 18, 1434, Mar 30, 2013, SPA - U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin by telephone late Wednesday to reaffirm the U.S. commitment to the alliance between the two countries, according to Pentagon Press Secretary George Little. "Secretary Hagel and Minister Kim reaffirmed the strength of the alliance, which has been, and continues to be, instrumental in maintaining stability on the Korean Peninsula," Little said in a statement issued here. According to Little, Hagel highlighted the steadfast commitment of the United States to the defense of South Korea, including extended deterrence capabilities, and noted the recently signed counter-provocation plan between the two nations as a mechanism to enhance consultation and coordination of alliance responses to North Korean aggression. Little said the leaders also discussed the recently announced plan to increase U.S. ground-based interceptors and early warning and tracking radar in response to the North Korean threat. --SPA 11:11 LOCAL TIME 08:11 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1092693