South Korean president urges US to help stop war
South Korean President Moon Jae told his American allies there must be a diplomatic solution to the crisis with North Korea.
Moon reportedly also tried to ease tensions by telling advisers at a meeting: "Our top priority is the national interest of [South Korea] and our national interest lies in peace.
"I am confident that the US will respond to the current situation in a calm and responsible manner in line with our policy direction."
That followed a warning by North Korea's news agency, KCNA, on Monday that any war could "only be turned into a nuclear war".
According to the BBC, Dunford stressed that America's priority was diplomacy, although military options were available should sanctions against the North fail.
Sanctions against the North were approved by the UN Security Council on 5 August in response to its recent wave of missile tests and increased military rhetoric.
On Monday, China said it was moving to implement a ban on imports of North Korean iron ore, iron, lead and seafood effective from the next day.
Nevertheless, the BBC's Beijing correspondent, John Sudworth mused aloud about how in the past China had signed-up to sanctions only to later be seen dragging its feet.