U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and South Korean Minister of National Defense Yoon Kwang Ung expressed “grave concern” about the “intransigence” of North Korea as it flouts international views by developing nukes and missiles.

In a lengthy 14-point communiqué, the two leaders, after meeting with other top-level officials of their two nations, pledged their “commitment to mutual defense for the preservation of peace and security.”