The U.S. is committed to defending South Korea with its “full range” of defense capabilities, including nuclear weapons, the State Department said Wednesday, as North Korea’s repeated missile tests drive debate in Seoul about the need for nuclear weapons in the South.

"I think you saw President Biden over the course of this administration affirm U.S. extended deterrence and the commitment to the ROK, using the full range of U.S. defense capabilities, including nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel said during a press briefing on Wednesday.