US rules out regime change in North Korea, wants dialogue
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said his government isn't seeking a regime change in North Korea. "We're not your enemy, we're not your threat but you're presenting an unacceptable threat to us and we have to respond," Tillerson said, adding Washington is seeking dialogue with Pyongyang. His statement comes days after North Korea test fired an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching America.
North Korea successfully tests ICBM, Trump calls it "reckless"
On July 29, North Korea claimed it has successfully tested a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), calling it a "stern warning" for the US. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un claimed the entire US was within striking range, thanks to the test. The regime had also tested an ICBM three weeks ago. US President Donald Trump called the latest test a "reckless and dangerous action."
Trump: "We will handle North Korea"
On August 1, President Donald Trump said his administration "will handle North Korea." However, Trump didn't provide any specifics about his strategy towards Pyongyang. His statement comes after the North tested a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile on July 28, the second such test for the month. The US has imposed a number of economic sanctions on North Korea, which appear to have been ineffective.
What Tillerson said
Tillerson said: "We do not seek a regime change, we do not seek the collapse of the regime, we do not seek an accelerated reunification of the peninsula, we do not seek an excuse to send our military" across the border into North Korea.
Tillerson says Beijing has power to influence North Korea
Trump has frequently criticized China, North Korea's biggest economic ally, for not doing enough to rein in Pyongyang's weapons program. Tillerson said "only the North Koreans are to blame for this situation." "But, we do believe China has a special and unique relationship, because of this significant economic activity, to influence the North Korean regime in ways that no one else can," he added.
Trump says military conflict with North Korea could be inevitable
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said US President Donald Trump told him a military conflict with North Korea could be inevitable if Pyongyang continued its program to develop ICBMs capable of reaching America. He said China should believe Trump and do something about North Korea. He said thousands would die in the Korean Peninsula, not America if there's a war.
US's goals of denuclearized N.Korea could be unattainable
It appears North Korea's advances in ICBM technology have rankled America. The US would be determined to prevent any strike on its territory, prompting Trump to have his war talk with Graham. However, a military conflict would be catastrophic. Tillerson said the US is seeking dialogue with the long-term goal of a denuclearized Pyongyang. However, North Korea is unlikely to give up nuclear weapons.
