Trump not trusted on N Korea nuke crisis – poll

WASHINGTON: An overwhelming majority of Americans oppose a pre-emptive strike on North Korea and most Americans trust US military leaders instead of President Donald Trump to handle the nuclear crisis responsibly, a new poll on Sunday said.

According to the Washington Post-ABC News poll, 67% of Americans believe the US should launch a military strike on North Korea only if Pyongyang first attacks the US or its allies.

As to their confidence in Trump on solving the North Korean nuclear issue, 37% of Americans trust Trump either “a great deal” or “a good amount” to handle the issue in a responsible way.

However, 42% said they don’t trust Trump “at all”.

In comparison, 72% of Americans said they trusted US military leaders on the issue, including 43% saying that they trust them “a great deal”.

Trump last week threatened in a speech at the UN General Assembly that the US “will have no choice than to totally destroy” North Korea if forced to defend itself or its allies.

After the threat, Pyongyang said it might test a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific Ocean.

On Friday, China urged all parties to avoid any action that may increase tension on the Korean Peninsula.

“The current situation on the peninsula is severe and complicated,” Foreign Minister spokesperson Lu Kang said.

“Only if all sides bear their due responsibilities can the peninsula nuclear issue be truly resolved and peace and stability restored to the region.”

He said that Pyongyang knows that China opposes its development of nuclear weapons and nuclear tests.

“What parties concerned should do now is to strictly and comprehensively implement UN Security Council resolutions and make positive efforts to resolve the issue through dialogue,” Lu emphasised.

“China opposes unilateral sanctions imposed by any country outside the framework of the UN Security Council,” he added.