North Korea may be returned to the list of countries the U.S. believes sponsor terrorism, President Donald Trump’s national security adviser says. The move is said to be a part of Trump’s strategy to counter the North Korea’s growing nuclear threat.
“You’ll hear more about that soon, I think,” the adviser H.R. McMaster said. Trump starts today his 12-day tour of Asia and North Korea’s nuclear and missile weapons threat is expected to be the main focus of the meetings the president will have with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam and the Philippines, Associated Press reports. The murder of North Korea leader’s half-brother was cited by McMaster as an act of terrorism that could be the main reason for adding North Korea to the list which consists only by Syria, Iran and Sudan.
“A regime who murders someone in a public airport using nerve agent, and a despotic leader who murders his brother in that manner, I mean, that’s clearly an act of terrorism that fits in with a range of other actions,” McMaster said and added that returning North Korea back on the list is something that’s under consideration.
Kim Jong Nam died in February and under legislation enacted August 2, the State Department was supposed to determine within 90 days whether North Korea can be designated as a state sponsor of terrorism. According to an unnamed official, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is still evaluating whether to make that step or not.
“The Department has informed Members of Congress that he expects to conclude his review and announce a decision within the month,” the official said.
Meanwhile, McMaster sad that Trump will not temper his rhetoric against North Korea while in Asia.
“The president will use whatever language he wants to use. That’s been of great reassurance to our allies, partners and others in the region who are literally under the gun of this regime,” he said.
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