The Latest on the North Korea crisis (all times local) :
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Latest on the North Korea crisis (all times local) :
6: 30 p.m.
North Korea says leader Kim Jong Un was briefed on his military’s plans to launch missiles in waters near Guam days after the Korean People’s Army announced its preparing to create « enveloping fire » near the U. S. military hub in the Pacific.
The Korean Central News Agency said Tuesday that Kim during an inspection of the KPA’s Strategic Forces praised the military for drawing up a « close and careful » plan. Kim said he will give order for the missile test if the United States continues its « extremely dangerous actions » on the Korean Peninsula.
The KPA’s Strategic Forces said last week says it would finalize by mid-August a plan to fire four intermediate ballistic missiles near Guam and send it to Kim for his approval
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8: 10 a.m.
The top U. S. military officer says the United States wants to peacefully resolve a deepening standoff with North Korea but is also ready to use the « full range » of its military capabilities in case of provocation.
The comments by Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford in meetings Monday with senior South Korean military and political officials appeared to be an attempt to ease anxiety over tit-for-tat threats between President Donald Trump and North Korea while also showing a willingness to back up Trump’s warnings if necessary.
Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that the U. S. is « seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis. »
Dunford is visiting South Korea, Japan and China after a week in which Trump said he was ready to unleash « fire and fury » if North Korea continued to threaten the United States.
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