Diplomacy still the preferred option but military action also on the table, US lawmakers are told at the White House.
The United States wants to bring North Korea back to the “path of dialogue” over its nuclear weapons programme and will use diplomatic measures and additional sanctions to increase pressure on it.
After briefing senators in a highly unusual meeting at the White House on Wednesday, Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats issued a statement that toned down military rhetoric and urged the international community to help find a solution to North Korea’s nuclear programme.
President Donald Trump aims to “pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our allies and regional partners”, the statement read.
“We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue, ” the statement added, using North Korea’s official name.
An administration official said Trump attended only the first five minutes of the meeting. He delivered opening remarks before handing it over to his national security team.
The latest move comes as tension soars on the Korean Peninsula following a series of missile launches by the North and warnings from the Trump administration that military action was an “option on the table”.
Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting from the White House, said a whole range of options were discussed including using leverage by China, North Korea’s main trade partner.
