"We assess that the report reaffirmed that the Seoul-Washington alliance is stronger than ever," he added.

He said that the government is reviewing the US report as it comprehensively deals with Washington's policies spanning from diplomacy to the economy.

The report came as tensions have heightened after North Korea fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile in late November, declaring that it has completed its nuclear armament.

Seoul's unification ministry said Tuesday that the document showed the international community is on the same pace over the need to employ sanctions and pressure to prod North Korea into coming to the negotiation table.

"The government has kept the stance that North Korea's nuclear issue should be peacefully resolved, and we need to apply sanctions and pressure to make Pyongyang give up its nukes and come to dialogue. In that sense, the international community is moving in the same direction," a ministry official said. (Yonhap)