Jim Mattis reveals US wants diplomatic end to North Korea crisis
Jim Mattis reveals US wants diplomatic end to North Korea crisis
Defence Secretary Jim Mattis made it clear that the United States intends to resolve North Korea nuclear crisis diplomatically amid the ongoing war of words between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un.
"U.S.maintain the capability to deter North Korea's most dangerous threats but also to back up our diplomats in a manner that keeps this as long as possible in the diplomatic realm That is our goal, to solve this diplomatically, and I believe that President Trump has been very clear on this issue," U.S. defence Secretary Mattis said.
"U.S. also appreciate India's efforts - along with those of the international community - to increase pressure against North Korea over its dangerous and destabilizing behavior," Mattis added.
The tensions between the U.S. and North Korea escalated after Pyongyang tested most powerful hydrogen bomb and 22 missiles till September 15th including intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which it claims could reach "anywhere in the world."
North Korea's Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho accused U.S. President Donald Trump of declaring war on his country by tweeting over the weekend that North Korea "won't be around much longer."
"Last weekend Trump claimed that our leadership wouldn't be around much longer and declared a war on our country,Since the United States declared war on our country, we will have every right to make all self-defensive counter measures, including the right to shoot down the United States strategic bombers at any time even when they are not yet inside the aerospace border of our country," Ri said.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders denied North Korea's assertion saying,"Frankly, the suggestion of that is absurd."
Sanders said it is "never appropriate" to shoot down another nation's aircraft in international waters and the administration plans to continue to protect the area, CNN reported.
-ANI