US ready for war if Kim acts ‘unwisely’
Tensions rise as forces set for exercises Pyongyang finalises Guam missile plan
President Donald Trump again delivered a bold warning to North Korea, tweeting that the US military is “locked and loaded” if the isolated rogue nation acts “unwisely,” escalating an exchange of threats between the nuclear-armed nations.
American and South Korean officials said they would move forward with large military exercises that North Korea claims are a rehearsal for war.
President Donald Trump tweeted yesterday military solutions are “locked and loaded” as it was confirmed largescale Us-south Korea military exercises, described by North Korea as a rehearsal for war, will go ahead this month.
Mr Trump’s remarks came the day after North Korea said it was finalising plans to launch a salvo of missiles towards the US military base on Guam.
The exercises are an annual event, but come as Pyongyang says it is readying a plan to fire off four Hwasong-12 missiles toward the tiny island, which is US territory and major military hub.
The “Ulchi-freedom Guardian” exercises are expected to run from 21 to 31 August and involve tens of thousands of American and South Korean troops.
Washington and Seoul say they are defensive in nature and crucial to maintaining a deterrent against North Korean aggression.
Yesterday Mr Trump tweeted: “Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely.
“Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path!”
While tensions typically spike around the dates of the exercises the situation generally calms afterward as the North needs to focus on its farms and the approach of the fall harvest.
Keeping up his tough talk from his New Jersey golf resort where he is on a “working vacation”, Mr Trump warned Kim Jong Un’s government to “get their act together” or face extraordinary trouble, and suggested his earlier threat to unleash “fire and fury” on North Korea was too mild.
Mr Trump declined to say whether the US is considering a pre-emptive military strike as he spoke to reporters before a briefing with his top national security advisers.
The President insisted the North had been “getting away with a tragedy that can’t be allowed.”
“North Korea better get their act together, or they are going to be in trouble like few nations have ever been in trouble,” Mr Trump said. Accusing his predecessors of insufficient action, he said it was time somebody stood up to Kim Jong Un.
Though tensions have been buildingformonthsamidnew missile tests by the North, the pace has intensified since the UN Security Council last week passed sweeping new sanctions Mr Trump requested.