US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter is set to visit South Korea next week for talks on North Korea's missile and nuclear programmes, the media reported on Saturday.
A diplomatic source here said the secretary will be visiting South Korea for annual security talks, known as the Security Consultative Meeting, with his counterpart Han Min-koo, The Korea Herald reported.
Carter on Friday noted other activities by the North, including naval ones and actions along the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ) that divides the two Koreas.
"We're always concerned about North Korean behaviour and provocations of all kinds," Carter said, adding "There's a constant potential for provocations."
Carter said his trip will include a visit to the DMZ but did not provide further details.