The United States and South Korea on Thursday called on North Korea to end its "provocative behavior" but said the path to reconciliation was still open after Pyongyang's defiant rocket test.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta and their South Korean counterparts vowed a united front as they issued a joint statement during talks between the allies in Washington.

"The ministers urged North Korea to cease its provocative behavior, live up to its obligations and commitments and abide by the terms of the 1953 armistice agreement," the joint statement said.

But they added: "A path for North Korea to rejoin the international community remains available if it refrains from provocations and complies with its international obligations and commitments, which include taking concrete actions toward denuclearization."

The United States and South Korea said that they would step up cooperation in cyber security, an area of growing concern for both countries.