Donald Trump, Shinzo Abe, discuss 'growing threat' from North Korea: White House

WASHINGTON: The US and Japan today discussed the 'growing threat' posed by North Korea with President Donald Trump and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe reaffirming the importance of a close cooperation.

The discussion took place in the backdrop of North Korea announcing the development of a hydrogen bomb which can be loaded into the country's new intercontinental ballistic missile.

"President Donald J Trump spoke today with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to discuss ongoing efforts to maximize pressure on North Korea," the White House said in a readout of the call, the third between the two leaders in less than a week.

According to the White House, Trump and Abe reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea in the face of the growing threat from North Korea.

"Trump noted that he looks forward to continued trilateral coordination on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly," the White House said.

Yesterday, Trump also talked to his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in and discussed a coordinated response to deal with the "destabilising and escalatory behaviour" of North Korea.