U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, second from right, pays a silent tribute with South Korean officer and officials at the National Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Top American defense officials maintained a tough stand Wednesday against North Korea, calling its threat more lethal than ever even as an envoy from the communist regime was headed Wednesday to the United States to discuss nuclear programs. AP Photo logo AP Photo 1 month ago

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, second from right, pays a silent tribute with South Korean officer and officials at the National Cemetery in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Top American defense officials maintained a tough stand Wednesday against North Korea, calling its threat more lethal than ever even as an envoy from the communist regime was headed Wednesday to the United States to discuss nuclear programs.

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  1. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young participate in a joint news conference at South Korea's defense ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Gates said Thursday that North Korea continues to pose a grave threat to international peace and pledged to protect South Korea with Washington's full military might, including its nuclear capabilities.
  2. Protesters holding portraits of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, and his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young shout a slogan during a rally against the Security Consultative Meeting, or SCM, between the U.S. and South Korea in front of the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Gates said Wednesday the United States will never accept a North Korea with atomic bombs, saying the communist regime poses threats "even more lethal and destabilizing."
  3. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R) shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young during Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) at the Defense Ministry in Seoul October 22, 2009. Gates said on Thursday that North Korea poses a threat to his country's allies in North Asia and promised to protect them under the U.S. nuclear deterrent.
  4. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, shakes hands with his South Korean counterpart Kim Tae-young during Security Consultative Meeting or SCM at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009. Gates said Wednesday the United States will never accept a North Korea with atomic bombs, saying the communist regime poses threats "even more lethal and destabilizing."
  5. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, arrives to sign the guest book before meeting South Korean Prime Minister Chung Un-chan as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens looks on at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009. Gates said Wednesday the United States will never accept a North Korea with atomic bombs, saying the communist regime poses threats "even more lethal and destabilizing" than before.
  6. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) talks with Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo October 20, 2009. The United States wants to stick to a deal on realigning U.S. troops in Japan, Defense Secretary Gates said on Tuesday, giving Japan's new government little room to move on an issue that could test ties.
  7. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R) shakes hands with Japan's Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo October 20, 2009. The United States wants to stick to a deal on realigning U.S. troops in Japan, Defense Secretary Gates said on Tuesday, giving Japan's new government little room to move on an issue that could test ties.
  8. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, is seen with Adm. Robert Willard, center, the new head of the U.S. Pacific Command, and Adm. Michael Mullen, right, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during a ceremony at Pacific Command headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, Monday, Oct. 19, 2009. A fighter pilot who made a cameo appearance as a Tom Cruise foe in "Top Gun" has taken over as the top U.S. military commander in Asia and the Pacific. Willard assumed control of the U.S. Pacific Command in a ceremony presided over by Defense Secretary Gates, who stopped in Hawaii en route to meetings in Japan and South Korea.
  9. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, right, escorts NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen into the Pentagon, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, during an honor cordon.
  10. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, left, talks with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, right, during an honor cordon for his arrival to the Pentagon, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009.
  11. ARLINGTON, VA - SEPTEMBER 21: U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (R) welcomes Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak (L) during an honor cordon at the Pentagon September 21, 2009 in Arlington, Virginia. President Barack Obama will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for talks tomorrow in New York.
  12. Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak (R) arrives to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (L) at the Pentagon in Washington September 21, 2009.
  13. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R) walks with Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Tea Bahn (2nd R) at the Pentagon in Washington September 21, 2009.
  14. U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates (R) walks with Israel's Defense Minister Ehud Barak (2nd R) at the Pentagon in Washington September 21, 2009.
  15. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) meets with Czech Republic Minister of Defense Martin Bartak at the Pentagon in Washington, September 18, 2009.
  16. U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (L) listens to remarks by Czech Republic Minister of Defense Martin Bartak at the Pentagon in Washington, September 18, 2009.

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