N Korea could go back on terror list

UNITED STATES: US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser says North Korea could be returned to the list of countries the US believes sponsor terrorism, as part of Trump’s strategy to counter the North’s growing nuclear threat.

‘‘You’ll hear more about that soon, I think,’' H R McMaster said at a briefing on the eve of Trump’s five-nation tour of Asia, which starts today.

North Korea’s nuclear and missile weapons threat will be a key focus of Trump’s meetings with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, China, Vietnam and the Philippines during the 12-day trip, the president’s first official visit to the region.

McMaster cited the killing in a Malaysian airport earlier this year of the estranged half-brother of North Korea’s leader as an act of terrorism that could lead to the North being reinstated on a list that currently includes only Iran, Sudan and Syria.

He said returning North Korea to the state sponsors of terrorism list ‘‘is something that’s under consideration’'.

Under legislation enacted on August 2, the US State Department was required to determine within 90 days - or around yesterday - whether North Korea meets the criteria for being designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ’’continues to evaluate whether or not to designate DPRK as a state sponsor of terror’’, an official said yesterday. ‘‘He expects to conclude his review and announce a decision within the month.’'

Trump’s trip comes amid escalating tensions with North Korea, which has continued to pursue its missile and nuclear programmes and ramped up its missile testing. In a recent speech at the United Nations, Trump said he would ‘‘totally destroy’' the nation if necessary. – AP