President Donald Trump said today he was substantially increasing the sale of "sophisticated military equipment" to US allies Japan and South Korea, amid rising tension with North Korea following its biggest nuclear weapons test.
North Korea on Sunday claimed it detonated a hydrogen bomb designed for a long-range missile and called it a "perfect success". It was Pyongyang's sixth and most powerful test.
"I am allowing Japan & South Korea to buy a substantially increased amount of highly sophisticated military equipment from the United States," Trump tweeted.
The hydrogen bomb detonation was preceded by a series of ballistic missile launches by the North, two long range in July that brought the US mainland within its range, and flew another medium-range in August over the Japanese territory.
North Korea has threatened to hit US territory of Guam in response to a military exercise America was carrying out with South Korea. It says the exercise is a preparation to invade the country.
North's tests have unnerved South Korea and Japan.
Trump earlier responded to the threats with his "fire and fury" remarks.
The US has also moved a draft resolution in the UN Security Council for tough sanctions against North Korea.
Trump has said "all options" were open against North Korea, while Defence Secretary James Mattis over the weekend warned of a massive military retaliation.
Trump has spoken with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe multiple times over the past few days. He has also spoken over phone with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
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