US declares it is running out of patience, may take military action against North Korea

AFP/THX/Reuters reported that US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on March 17 declared that America's "strategic patience" with North Korea has ended, emphasizing that military action against Pyongyang is an "option on the table."

Speaking at a press conference in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-Se, Mr Tillerson said: "The policy of strategic patience has ended. We certainly do not want the situation to escalate into a military conflict. But if they increase the threat from their weapons programs to a level where we feel it is necessary to take action, then that option (military action) will be on the table."

In addition, Mr. Tillerson said that a series of new diplomatic, security and economic measures are being studied.

Meanwhile, South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se affirmed that Seoul and Washington share a common goal of completely denuclearizing North Korea.

He also stressed that the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system that South Korea is deploying is only for self-defense against North Korea and is not aimed at any other country.

Mr. Rex Tillerson is on his first trip to three Northeast Asian countries since taking office as US Secretary of State last month./.

According to Vietnam Plus