US pledges nuclear defence for Japan, S Korea after N Korea missile launch

"The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn.

Bonn: US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday pledged Washington would use the full range of its arsenal, including nuclear weapons, to defend allies Japan and South Korea against North Korea.

"The United States remains steadfast in its defence commitments to its allies, the Republic of Korea and Japan, including the commitment to provide extended deterrence, backed by the full range of its nuclear and conventional defence capabilities," Tillerson said in a joint statement after meeting the foreign ministers in Bonn.