Use of pre-emptive force an option with North Korea, says Tillerson

SECRETARY OF STATE Rex Tillersonsaidfridayitmaybenecessary to take pre-emptive military action against North Korea if the threat from their weapons programme reaches a level “that we believe requires action.’’

Tillerson outlined a tougher strategy to confront North Korea’s nuclear threat after visiting the world’s most heavily armed border near the tense buffer zone between the rivals Koreas. He also closed the door on talks with Pyongyang unless it denuclearises and gives up its weapons of mass destruction.

Asked about the possibility of using military force, Tillerson told a news conference in the South Korean capital, “all of the options are on the table.”

He said the US does not want a military conflict, “but obviously if North Korea takes actions that threaten South Korean forces or our own forces that would be met with (an) appropriate response. If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action that option is on the table.’’

But he said that by taking other steps the US is hopeful that North Korea could be persuaded to take a different course.

Past US administrations have considered military force because of North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles to deliver them, but rarely has that option been expressed so explicitly.

North Korea has accelerated its weapons development, violating multiple UN Security Council resolutions and appearing undeterred by tough international sanctions. The North conducted two nuclear test explosions and 24 ballistic missile tests last year. Expertssayitcouldhaveanuclear missile capable of reaching the US within a few years.

Tillerson met Friday with his South Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se and its acting president, Hwang Kyo-ahn on the second leg of a three-nation trip which began in Japan and will end in China. AP

Reuters Donald Trump with Angela Merkel at the White House on Friday. The German leader’s visit is expected to focus on their differences over NATO, trade, among other things.