U.S. warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' response if nuclear arms used

[webfact]

U.S. warns North Korea of 'overwhelming' response if nuclear arms used

By Phil Stewart

REUTERS

 

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis (L) shakes hands with South Korea's acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn (R) prior their meeting at the Government Complex in Seoul, South Korea February 2, 2017. REUTERS/Song Kyung-Seok

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's defence secretary warned North Korea on Friday of an "effective and overwhelming" response if Pyongyang chose to use nuclear weapons, as he reassured Seoul of steadfast U.S. support at the end of a two-day visit.

 

"Any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said at South Korea's defence ministry.

 

Mattis' remarks come amid concern that North Korea could be readying to test a new ballistic missile, in what could be an early challenge for Trump's administration.

 

North Korea, which regularly threatens to destroy South Korea and its main ally, the United States, conducted more than 20 missile tests last year, as well as two nuclear tests, in defiance of U.N. resolutions and sanctions.

 

The North appears to have also restarted operation of a reactor at its main Yongbyon nuclear facility that produces plutonium that can be used for its nuclear weapons programme, according to U.S. think tank 38 North.

 

"North Korea continues to launch missiles, develop its nuclear weapons programme and engage in threatening rhetoric and behaviour," Mattis said.

 

North Korea's actions have prompted the United States and South Korea to respond by bolstering defences, including the expected deployment of a U.S. missile defence system, known as Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), in South Korea later this year.

 

China, however, has objected to THAAD, saying it will destabilise the regional security balance, leading to calls from some South Korean opposition leaders to delay or cancel it.

 

South Korean Defence Minister Han Min-koo reaffirmed plans to deploy THAAD and said Mattis' visit to Seoul - his first trip abroad as defence secretary - sent a clear message of strong U.S. support.

 

"Faced with a current severe security situation, Secretary Mattis' visit to Korea ... also communicates the strongest warning to North Korea," Han said.

 

Once fully developed, a North Korean ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is about 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from North Korea. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,400 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,200 miles) or more.

 

Former U.S. officials and other experts have said the United States essentially has two options when it comes to trying to curb North Korea's fast-expanding nuclear and missile programmes - negotiate or take military action.

 

Neither path offers certain success and the military option is fraught with huge dangers, especially for Japan and South Korea, U.S. allies in close proximity to North Korea.

 

Mattis is scheduled to depart later on Friday for Japan.

 

(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Richard Pullin and Paul Tait)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-03

[mamypoko]

Mad Dog, ruff! ruff!

Get some General

[Srikcir]

Good for Gen. Mattis. An island of foreign policy stability in a sea of Trump strategic confusion.

But what if Trump decides that S. Korea is not paying its fair share for defense? Will he call the US-ROC defense pact obsolete as he did with NATO (which Mattis supports) and threaten to pullout? Hopefully Mattis can keep Trump's attention on the realities of his unpredictable and sometimes awkard tweet foreign policies.

[Michael8511]

Don't think that anybody can keep Trump calm and constructive, someone say something and he's on Twitter as the Twitter queen he is. As soon as he press that send button on Twitter it's to late. He have already stirred the Middle East pot, and his Ambassador to EU have started move that pot around. And he refuse to condem Russia's Invation of Ukraine so he is all over the continents stirring the pots, God knows where he attack next. China, Australia, Mexico, Canada and Philippines have also got there fair share. Iran and North Korea are put on notice and what kind of notice nobody knows. It seems that UK is the one so fare that he gets along with, but after refusing to see Prince Charles on his state visit, don't know how well that will play. He have been very diplomatic and constructive his 2 first week in office and it feels like months already. 

[harleyclarkey]

China, however, has objected to THAAD, saying it will destabilise the regional security balance, leading to calls from some South Korean opposition leaders to delay or cancel it.

 

Shut up China

 

You have just, against the world maritime court, decided all of the South China Sea is yours for the taking and have built military bases on reefs. 

Reefs...that you grossly expanded with imported material.

[the guest]

China's elaborate plans are about to be broken.

[elgordo38]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

"Any attack on the United States, or our allies, will be defeated, and any use of nuclear weapons would be met with a response that would be effective and overwhelming," Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said at South Korea's defence ministry.

One more turd to add to the pile that has  accumulated over the years and the many changings of the guard. It may play out well for younger generations but I am sure myself and many others here have heard this horse pucky for generations. We have been around the block to many times. Its nothing but political back slapping at its best and BS at its worst. 

[Becker]

Why doesn't Kim The Young 'Un learn from Putin and just stroke the shayte out of the man-child's ego? He'll be as malleable as a fresh turd on a hot summer's day.

 

[Scott]

Off-topic post removed.

 

[BlindMagician]

We're gonna build a wall, the best wall ever, a great great big best amazing wall. We're gonna beat China's wall. That's tiny. It's not amazing. Our wall will block out all enemies, protect all our friends, if we have any. Amazing wall. A m a z i n g .

Oh, here's the design, just arrived on my man size impressive desk. Oh. Oh. It's just a wall around my oval office with me in it. Get the engineer on the phone....

 

....Well sir, you said minimal cost, surround all enemies on one side, and all friends on the other. My design fits those requirements.