Seoul and Washington are working to update their plans for wartime operations in response to evolving North Korean threats and other changes in the regional security environment, the two sides announced following a top level defense meeting in Seoul on Thursday.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his South Korean counterpart Suh Wook also said the two sides will assess Seoul’s preparedness to assume wartime operational control (OPCON) of ROK troops from Washington through joint drills next fall.

“We shared an understanding that we need an operation plan that reflects the changes in North Korean threats, changes due to