01 September 2017

News Story: Trump says dialogue with N. Korea 'not the answer'

By Lee Haye-ah and Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON/SEOUL, Aug. 30 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that "talking" will not solve the standoff with North Korea, signaling a more aggressive response to the regime's nuclear and missile programs.

Trump made the remark on Twitter, saying, "The U.S. has been talking to North Korea, and paying them extortion money, for 25 years. Talking is not the answer!"

It appeared to be his latest response to North Korea's firing Tuesday of a missile over Japan.

He initially said in a White House statement that "all options are on the table" to deal with the North Korean threats.

The tweet came shortly before U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis met with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo at the Pentagon.

Seated across from Song, Mattis was asked by a reporter whether diplomatic solutions are off the table.

"No," he said flatly.

Asked what additional diplomatic solutions could be taken, he responded, "We're never out of diplomatic solutions. We continue to work together. The minister and I share a responsibility to provide for the protection of our nations, our populations, and our interests, which is what we're here to discuss today."

Read the full story at YonhapNews


Related Stories: