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Trump insists talking with North Korea "not the answer"

US President Donald Trump has said talking to North Korea is "not the answer," after Pyongyang fl...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.01 30 Aug 2017


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Trump insists talking with Nor...

Trump insists talking with North Korea "not the answer"

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.01 30 Aug 2017


Share this article


US President Donald Trump has said talking to North Korea is "not the answer," after Pyongyang flew a ballistic missile over Japan.

"The US has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer!" Mr Trump posted to Twitter.

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His comments follow a declaration that "all options are on the table" after the North Korean missile flew over the Japanese island of Hokkaido.

The test was considered to be one of the most provocative ever from the reclusive state, and came as US and South Korean forces conduct annual military exercises on the peninsula.

Restraint

On Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying reiterated Beijing's call for peace talks, saying "pressure and sanctions" against North Korea "cannot fundamentally solve the issue," and said the country needed to exercise restraint.

"The UN Security Council has put through several resolutions and sanctions have all along been put in place but everyone can see whether they've had actual results," she added.

"On the one hand, sanctions have continued to be put in place via resolutions and on the other hand North Korea's nuclear and missile launch process is still continuing."

Miniaturised nuclear warhead

Earlier this month, North Korea reportedly made a miniaturised nuclear warhead that could fit inside one of its intercontinental ballistic missiles.

It prompted Mr Trump to issue a warning of "fire and fury" on the North, while Pyongyang threatened to fire missiles towards the US territory of Guam.

Any missile fired towards Guam would have to fly over Japan and analysts said Tuesday's test presents a major challenge to both Tokyo and Washington.

British Prime Minister Theresa May takes part in a tea ceremony in Kyoto, during her visit to Japan, 30-08-2017. Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire/PA Images

The missile test also took place just as the British Prime Minister prepared to embark on a visit to Japan.

A spokesperson described Theresa May as "outraged by North Korea's reckless provocation."

She told journalists that the UK would "continue to work with our international partners" to pressure Kim Jong Un's regime to end its "illegal tests."


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