Trump: US military action is 'very sad day' for North Korea

President Trump does not want to take military action against North Korea, saying it would be a "very sad day" for Pyongyang if he was forced to use them.

US President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters.

"Military action would be an option. Is that certain? Nothing is certain," Reuters quoted US President Donald Trump as saying at a press conference on September 7. "I don't want to go down the military path. If we do military action, it will be a very sad day for North Korea."

Mr Trump described North Korea's sixth nuclear test on September 3 as a "bad act" and Pyongyang "must stop". The US is seeking to increase economic sanctions in response to North Korea.

While Trump has stressed that now is not the time for dialogue with North Korea, senior administration officials have made it clear that the door to a diplomatic solution remains open. Washington’s assessment is that any preemptive strike would result in a strong response from Pyongyang.

Meanwhile, China said on September 7 that the United Nations Security Council should take further action against North Korea but continue to promote dialogue to help resolve the crisis.

The United States, in its draft sanctions resolution, wants the Security Council to impose an oil embargo on North Korea, ban Pyongyang's textile exports, ban the hiring of North Korean laborers abroad, freeze the assets and ban travel of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

The US continues to increase pressure on North Korea after the country conducted its sixth nuclear test on September 3. The nuclear test, along with a series of missile launches, shows that North Korea is close to achieving its goal of developing a powerful nuclear weapon capable of reaching US territory.

North Korea, which is pursuing its nuclear and missile programs despite international opposition, has warned of "strong countermeasures" if the United Nations imposes new sanctions and the US increases pressure. Pyongyang accuses Washington of wanting to start a war./.

According to VNE