US warns North Korea against use of nuclear arms on allies
seoul — US President Donald Trump’s defence secretary warned North Korea on Friday of an “effective and overwhelming” response if it chose to use nuclear weapons, as he reassured South Korea of steadfast US support.
“Any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming,” Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said at South Korea’s defence ministry, at the end of a two-day visit.
Mattis’ remarks come amid concern that North Korea could be readying to test a new ballistic missile, in what could be an early challenge for Trump’s regime.
North Korea conducted more than 20 missile tests last year, as well as two nuclear tests, in defiance of UN resolutions and sanctions.
“North Korea continues to launch missiles, develop its nuclear weapons programme and engage in threatening rhetoric and behaviour,” Mattis said. North Korea’s actions have prompted the United States and South Korea to respond by bolstering defences, including the expected deployment of a US missile defence system, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in South Korea later this year.
The two sides reconfirmed that commitment on Friday.
China, however, has objected to THAAD, saying it is a direct threat to China’s own security and will do nothing to bring North Korea back to the negotiating table, leading to calls from some South Korean opposition leaders to delay or cancel it.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang reiterated China’s opposition, which he said would never change.
“We do not believe this move will be conducive to resolving the Korean peninsula nuclear issue or to maintaining peace and stability on the peninsula,” Lu told a daily news briefing in Beijing.
South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo said Mattis’ visit to Seoul — his first trip abroad as defence secretary — sent a clear message of strong US support. — Reuters