President Trump softened his tone on the prospect of using military force against North Korea in response to its efforts to build up its nuclear arsenal, vowing during a visit to South Korea to pursue peace through all other channels before considering a military strike.
"As we work together to solve this problem using all available tools short of military action, the United States stands prepared to defend itself and its allies using the full range of its unmatched military capabilities if need be," Trump said during a joint press conference with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday.
Trump's more aggressive rhetoric about North Korea, which he has threatened to hit with "fire and fury" and which he has described as embarking on a "suicide mission," has worried South Koreans in the past. Most analysts believe any military conflict between the U.S. and North Korea would cost hundreds of thousands of South Korean lives.
Trump declined to say whether he thinks the economic pressure his administration has helped bring to bear on North Korea has made any difference on its conduct.
"I think you know me well enough to know that I don't like talking about whether I see success or not in a case such as this," Trump said. "We like to play our cards a little close to the vest."
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05.05.2024