North Korea once again declared they would not be engaging in diplomacy with the United States until they have developed long-range missiles with the capability of reaching the east coast of the U.S.
The official which made the statement on Monday, added that diplomacy has not been ruled out completely, but pointed out that “before we can engage in diplomacy with the Trump administration, we want to send a clear message that the DPRK has a reliable defensive and offensive capability to counter any aggression from the United States.”
The statement comes as a challenge after repeated unclear comments by the Trump administration regarding diplomatic relations with North Korea and significantly increases tensions between the two countries.
Last week, Chief of Staff John Kelly warned about Pyongyang developing nuclear weapons, saying that Americans should be worried about North Korea’s missile reaching the United States. His comments suggest that the U.S. believes North Korea is not far from achieving its goal – to create an intercontinental ballistic missile.
According to the Pyongyang official, they are close to the final step of developing such a missile. Only two more steps are needed, an above-ground nuclear detonation and the testing of a long-range ICBM.
Last week, North Korea once again threatened to launch missiles toward Guam if the U.S. continues to make “reckless moves.” The first such threat was made when Donald Trump said Kim Jong Un’s regime would “face fire and fury”, which prompted North Korea to warn about possible nuclear tests over the Pacific island.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson assured the public U.S. “diplomatic efforts will continue until the first bomb drops,” suggesting that military action is the last resort, CNN reports.
Be the first to comment