US Air Force soldiers aim their weapons behind their vehicle during a drill as part of annual joint exercises with South Korea outside a US airbase in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, on March 14, 2013. Photo: AFP

US Deputy Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, held talks on Monday with South Korea’s Minister of Defense, Kim Kwan-jin to discuss responses to North Korea’s actions and the effect of US budget cuts on US troops in South Korea. North Korea says it is to unilaterally canceling the 1953 armistice.  In response, the US has renewed its commitment to defend South Korea.