Trump will take 'appropriate' action in event of N.K. H-bomb test: Tillerson

All News 03:55 September 23, 2017

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump will take the "appropriate" action if North Korea tests a nuclear bomb over the Pacific Ocean as threatened, his top diplomat said Friday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Thursday warned of the "highest level" action after Trump told the U.N. General Assembly the U.S. will have no choice but to "totally destroy" the North if forced to defend itself or its allies.

Kim's top diplomat, Ri Yong-ho, told reporters in New York such action could involve a powerful test of a hydrogen bomb in the Pacific.

"We will continue our efforts in the diplomatic arena, but all of our military options -- as the president has said -- is on the table," Tillerson said in an interview on ABC. "And once we can assess the nature of this threat, the president will make a decision regarding the appropriate actions."

Pressed to answer if there could be military action, he said: "That will be the president's decision. There will be assembled and there is assembled on a standing basis a National Security Council that meets on each of these issues to advise the president. Ultimately, it will be his decision."

A day earlier, Trump announced new sanctions on North Korea that aim to cut off sources of revenue for the regime's nuclear and missile programs.

Tillerson said the measures are the "strongest economic sanctions ever" to target Kim.

"He is being tested with these sanctions," the secretary said. "Voices from every corner of the world are calling on him to cease his program, come to the table and let's talk about the future of North Korea and the North Korean people."

Tensions have escalated in the wake of North Korea's repeated missile launches and sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3. Many analysts believe it is only a matter of time before Pyongyang achieves its goal of having a nuclear-tipped missile capable of hitting the continental U.S.