US promises "unwavering" support to South Korea after North Korea cuts military hotline

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel promised "unwavering" support from the United States to its ally South Korea on Wednesday after North Korea severed a military hotline with Seoul.

During a call with his South Korean counterpart Kim Kwan-Jin, Hagel "reaffirmed the strength of the alliance, which has been, and continues to be, instrumental in maintaining stability on the Korean peninsula," Pentagon spokesman George Little said in a statement.

He also discussed "the unwavering United States commitment to our alliance with the Republic of Korea, especially during this time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula."

The two allies signed a new military pact last week to boost a joint response to any aggression from the North. About 28,500 US military forces are stationed in South Korea to counter the threat from the belligerent North.

Earlier, Little criticized the North's decision to cut the hotline as a "provocative and unconstructive step."

"It's very important for the regime to focus on what we think is the right course of action, and that is peace and stability on the Korean peninsula, and their provocations and bellicose rhetoric aren't helpful in the situation," he added.

The decision to sever the last direct communication link with the South coincided with an announcement that the North's top leadership would meet in the next few days to discuss an "important issue" and make a "drastic turn."