US Vice President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe condemned North Korea's nuclear and missile tests and vowed to work closely with South Korea to cope with threats from the communist nation, the White House said.

Biden and Abe met Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

"The leaders condemned North Korea's recent nuclear and missile tests and resolved to coordinate closely, including at the United Nations and with the Republic of Korea, in countering this threat," the White House said in a statement.

Biden reiterated the ironclad US commitment to Japan's security, the statement said.

The two sides agreed to increase coordination on East China Sea and South China Sea issues, and shared views on the importance of building and sustaining an open, rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific region, it said. (Yonhap)