Poll shows Americans favour war

‘Major conflict’ possible says Trump

MORE than half of Americans want Donald Trump to attack North Korea – and the President has indicated that’s a real possibility.

In an interview yesterday, Mr Trump admitted a major conflict with North Korea was possible but said it was not his preferred outcome.

“There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely,” he told Reuters in an Oval Office interview.

He maintained he wanted to resolve the dispute peacefully.

Meanwhile, the commander of US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry B Harris Jnr, warned it was only a matter of time before North Korea was capable of launching a nuclear warhead towards the US.

“The crisis on the Korean peninsula is real – the worst I’ve seen,” Admiral Harris said in an interview with Fox News.

“There is some doubt within the intelligence community whether Kim Jong-un has that capability today or whether he will soon, but I have to assume he has it, the capability is real and that he’s moving towards it.”

His dire warning follows a Fox News Poll finding that 53% of Americans believe military action is the best way to stop North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

The poll also shows 39% of voters believe North Korea is the biggest risk facing the country today, compared to 25% for Islamic State.

Admiral Harris said North Korea remained the biggest threat to security across the region as it “vigorously” pursued strikes and launches intended to target Australia, South Korea and the US.

“Kim Jong-un is making progress and all nations need to take this seriously because their missiles point in all directions,” he said.

Just days ago North Korea accused Australia of “blindly and zealously toeing the US line” and threatened a nuclear retaliation.

Admiral Harris said such threats by Jong-un showed the seriousness of the situation.

“His rhetoric is going in one direction and his capabilities are approaching the lines of his rhetoric,” he said.