London, October 25 (RHC)-- British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson has said U.S. military action against North Korea “must theoretically remain on the table” defending President Donald Trump’s attitude towards the country. “It is the duty of any president of the U.S. given the threat that his or her country could face from a nuclear-armed North Korea, it is the duty of the President at least to explore those military options and keep them on the table,” Johnson said, speaking at an event in central London held by the foreign policy think tank Chatham House.
Comparing the situation to the Cold War, the British foreign secretary said: “The public can be forgiven for genuinely starting to wonder whether the nuclear sword of Damocles is once again held over the head of a trembling human race.”
Trump has taken a tough stance against Pyongyang, threatening to “totally destroy” North Korea if necessary and calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un a "rocket man" on a "suicide mission." North Korea has responded with threats, vowing to take the “highest-level” measures against the United States.
In related news, Japan's defense chief has warned that North Korea’s perceived nuclear threat is no routine issue, urging the international community to view it as “unprecedented, critical and imminent.” Itsunori Onodera said that the growing threat has compelled Japan to agree with the U.S. that all options, including military action, should be considered against Pyongyang.
Onodera's comments came at the outset of a meeting in the Philippines with U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and South Korea's defense minister, Song Young-moo. The three met on the sidelines of a gathering of defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Japanese minister it could not be ruled out that a nuclear test by North Korea last month, described by experts as the most powerful test conducted by Pyongyang, was a hydrogen bomb. "The country has steadfastly improved its nuclear and missiles capability,” he said, adding, "Therefore, we have to take calibrated and different responses to meet that level of threat.”
North Korea has blamed the U.S. for the escalation in tensions, saying Washington’s engineering of crippling international sanctions on the country and its increased military presence in the region have left the government in Pyongyang with no option but to shore up its defense capabilities.
UK Foreign Secretary Says Military Option Should Remain on the Table Against North Korea
Related Articles
Commentaries
MAKE A COMMENT
All fields required
Now Playing
24 Horas en el mundo
Next Program
- Desde Mi Habana
- La Trova Cubana
- Un lugar para la poesía
More Views
- Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, at the quarterly open debate of the UN Security Council on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
- An agreement with major social implications
- Argentina’s president fires his foreign minister after vote in favor of ending U.S. blockade against Cuba
- Overwhelming victory at United Nations: Cuba supported by 187 votes against the blockade; two in favor of maintaining the genocidal measures
- Venezuelan president reveals María Corina Machado is between Panama and Colombia asking for new sanctions