The United States cautioned on Wednesday it was ready to use force if need be to stop North Korea’s nuclear missile programme but said it preferred global diplomatic action against Pyongyang for defying world powers by test launching a ballistic missile that could hit Alaska.
The US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told a meeting of the UN security council that North Korea’s actions were “quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution” and the United States was prepared to defend itself and its allies.
“One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces. We will use them if we must, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction,” Haley said. She urged China, North Korea’s only major ally, to do more to rein in Pyongyang.
Speaking with his Japanese counterpart on Wednesday, US defence secretary James Mattis underscored the “ironclad commitment” of the United States to defending Japan and providing “extended deterrence using the full range of U.S. capabilities,” Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White said in a statement.
Mattis’ assurances to Japanese defence minister Tomomi Inada came during a phone call to discuss the North Korean test, the statement said.
Taking a major step in its missile programme, North Korea on Tuesday test launched an intercontinental ballistic missile that some experts believe has the range to reach the US states of Alaska and Hawaii and perhaps the US Pacific Northwest.
North Korea says the missile could carry a large nuclear warhead.
The missile test is a direct challenge to US President Donald Trump, who has vowed to prevent North Korea from being able to hit the United States with a nuclear missile. He has frequently urged China to press the isolated country’s leadership to give up its nuclear programme.
Haley said the United States would propose new UN sanctions on North Korea in coming days and warned that if Russia and China did not support the move, then “we will go our own path.”
She did not give details on what sanctions would be proposed, but outlined possible options.
Diplomats say Beijing has not been fully enforcing existing international sanctions on its neighbour and has resisted tougher measures, such as an oil embargo, bans on the North Korean airline and guest workers, and measures against Chinese banks and other firms doing business with the North.
“Much of the burden of enforcing UN sanctions rests with China,” Haley said.
The United States might seek to take unilateral action and sanction more Chinese companies that do business with North Korea, especially banks, US officials have said.
