Trump fears ‘major’ clash with N. Korea
President Trump warned Thursday that a “major, major conflict with North Korea” could be on the horizon.
Sipping a Coke and speaking in the Oval Office, Trump talked unabashedly about the rising tensions between the hermit kingdom and the United States amid Pyongyang’s nuclear threats.
“There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely,” the president said. “We’d love to solve things diplomatically, but it’s very difficult.”
Trump also took a shot at North Korean leadert Kim Jong-un, saying he “hoped” the dictator would act rationally.
“He’s 27 years old. His father dies, took over a regime. So say what you want, but that is not easy, especially at that age,” the president explained.
“I’m not giving him credit . . . I’m just saying that’s a very hard thing to do. As to whether or not he’s rational, I have no opinion on it. I hope he’s rational.”
Trump added that he was confident in Chinese President Xi Jinping and his attempts to rein in the North. The pair met in Florida earlier this month to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
“I believe he is trying very hard. He certainly doesn’t want to see turmoil and death,” Trump said.
“He doesn’t want to see it. He is a good man. He is a very good man and I got to know him very well. With that being said, he loves China and he loves the people of China. I know he would like to be able to do something; perhaps it’s possible that he can’t.”
Hours before Trump spoke, the naval officer in charge of the US Pacific Command told Congress that he feared there was a potential for a significant clash with North Korea.
“The crisis on the Korean peninsula is real,” Adm. Harry Harris told the Senate Armed Services Committee. “It’s the worst I’ve seen.
“We are faced with a threat and a leader [Kim] who is intent on achieving his goal of a nuclear capability against the United States.”
Experts say any direct military action taken by the US would likely result in a massive retaliatory strike from the North — leadingP to mass casualties in Japan and South Korea.