‘N.Korea’s nuclear drive must be halted’ – Fallon

NORTH Korea’s nuclear weapons programme must be halted before it develops a ballistic missile capable of hitting London, according to the Defence Secretary.

Sir Michael Fallon said war must be avoided “at all costs” and stressed the desire for a diplomatic solution, given that the dangers of a “miscalculation” triggering a military response against North Korea are “extremely great”.

The United States is seeking a vote on a United Nations resolution which would impose the toughestever sanctions on North Korea.

It comes days after the regime in Pyongyang claimed to have exploded a hydrogen bomb capable of being delivered on an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Sir Michael, speaking on BBC One’s The Andrew Marr Show, said: “What we have to avoid at all costs is this spilling over in to any kind of military conflict.

“So we’re working flat out at the United Nations to get a better resolution there to enforce the existing sanctions, we’re looking at sanctions across the European Union, and of course we’re trying to persuade China to keep check.”

Asked if the situation is close to war in the Pacific, following threats against Guam, Sir Michael replied: “I’m very concerned about the situation in the Pacific. The United States is fully entitled to defend its own territory, to defend its bases and look after its people. But this involves us. London is closer to North Korea and its missiles than Los Angeles.”

On whether North Korea has a ballistic missile capable of hitting London, Sir Michael replied: “Not yet, but they are clearly accelerating their missile programme. its neighbour in

“The range is getting longer and longer and we have to get this programme halted because the dangers now of miscalculation, of some accident triggering a response, are extremely great.”

Sir Michael, on potential Nato involvement to defend its allies, added: “Guam is part of the United States, it’s United States sovereign territory and the United States, of course, under the United Nations, has the right to ask other members of the United Nations to join in its selfdefence. So I don’t think a legal issue is nearly as important as getting now a diplomatic solution to this crisis.”