?WONG:
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has met with his South Korean counterpart, Kim Sang-Hee, in Seoul. Gates says U.S. forces in Korea are prepared for North Korean attacks.

STORY:
Robert Gates and U.S. forces said Tuesday that they'll respond quickly and decisively to any North Korean attack on South Korea.

[Walter Sharp, Incoming Commander of U.S. Forces, South Korea]:
"We are ready to respond quickly and decisively against any attempts."

The United States has been trying to convince North Korea to abide by a nuclear disarmament deal, in exchange for aid and a better global standing.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark a change of command for U.S. forces, Gates and South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-Hee agreed to keep U.S. troop numbers at their current levels. The United States has almost 30,000 troops in the country to support South Korea's almost 700,000.

[Robert Gates, U.S. Defense Secretary]:
"We will stay prepared and stay equipped to be able to deal with any potential threats, but I think most people would regard it as a deterrent capability principle."

North Korea tested a nuclear device in 2006, and experts say they've also developed an arsenal of short-range missiles, all of which are aimed at Seoul. North Korea also stations most of its 1.2 million troops near the South Korean border.

North and South Korea are still technically at war since the Korean War ended in 1953 in a truce without a peace treaty.