Over the last few months many illegal test of an Intercontinental ballistic missile by North Korea, as well as the recent bellicose rhetoric of Pyongyang about the attacks on the United States, GUAM, our allies and our interests in the Asia-Pacific region has led to the escalation of tensions between North Korea and America to a level not seen since the war in Korea.
In response, the administration of the tramp with the support of the international community applies diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea in order to achieve the complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and stop the implementation of programmes of this regime’s ballistic missiles. We replace the failed policy of “strategic patience”, which has led to increased threats from North Korea, a new policy of strategic responsibility.
The aim of our campaign to provide a peaceful pressure is the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The United States has absolutely no interest in regime change or in accelerating the reunification of Korea. We are not going to place our troops North of the Demilitarized zone. We have no desire to harm the already long suffering people of North Korea, which should not be confused with a hostile regime in Pyongyang.
Our diplomatic approach is shared by many Nations that support our objectives, including China, which has the most significant leverage on Pyongyang. China is a neighbor of North Korea, the only ally on the basis of the existing contract, as well as the main economic partner. Chinese companies in one way or another involved in 90% of North Korean trade. This provides China a unique opportunity to exert influence on the regime. Recent statements by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other regional and global voices, it is clear that the international community holds one view on a provocative and dangerous North Korea’s actions — they must be stopped. Pyongyang should refrain from such actions.
China is greatly interested to pursue the same goal, and the United States. The actions of the North Korean regime, the prospects of nuclear proliferation and the possibility of occurrence of conflict poses a threat to economic, political and military security, which China had created over the decades. If China wants to play a more active role in ensuring regional peace and stability from which we all, especially China, have great benefits, he must make a decision to provide strong diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea.
Our diplomatic approach also involves the use of the United Nations. The unanimous decision of the Security Council introduced new sanctions against North Korea and also emphasized the extent to which the regime has chosen to isolate itself from the international community. This vote, which was also supported by Russia, will reflect international, aimed at combating the ongoing threats from the North Korean regime in relation to global security and stability.
We call on all Nations to respect its commitments on the introduction of sanctions of the UN Security Council against North Korea, and strengthen diplomatic, economic and political pressure on the regime, especially due to the refusal of trade, the proceeds of which are used to Finance the development of ballistic missiles and nuclear weapons. The United States continues to consolidate international unity in South Korea through more active participation in the work of the UN, in regional diplomatic forums as well as in capitals around the world.
While diplomacy continues to remain our preferred means for changing the image of North Korea’s actions, it is also supported by our military options. The United States Alliance with South Korea and Japan is solid. However, Pyongyang has consistently rejected attempts by Seoul to create the conditions under which it can occur through peaceful dialogue, and instead continued to pursue their reckless course of threats and provocations. Because of the existing danger of a new South Korean government is moving forward in regard to the placement of the elements of the Defense system in the area of high altitudes at the final stage of the missile (THAAD) to counter the existing threat. We welcome the decision of South Korea to host this purely defensive system.
The location of the launchers, the THAAD system on the Korean Peninsula, as well as conducting joint military exercises are a defensive preparatory measures against the real threat of use of military action against the United States, our allies and other Nations. Requirements of China in the United States concerning the refusal of accommodation on the territory of South Korea of the elements of the THAAD system are unrealistic. Well trained in technical terms, the Chinese military realize that this system does not pose any threat to their homeland.
Since China does not use its influence in order to show the world how a great power should act to resolve a well defined problem like North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons and missiles of distant radius of action, other States in the region are required to take prudent defensive measures to protect their peoples. The vote of China in the Security Council was a step in the right direction. This region and the entire world expect that China will continue to act in this direction.
The United States wants to negotiate with Pyongyang. But given the long track record of dishonest behavior of North Korea in the negotiations, this mode should signal the desire to pursue in good faith negotiations. A sincere indication of the presence of such desires would be the immediate cessation of its provocative threats, nuclear weapons tests, missile launches and other weapons tests.
The United States will continue to work together with its allies, aimed to deepen diplomatic and military cooperation, and will urge other countries to fulfil their obligations aimed at isolating the regime. This will include strict compliance with the sanctions regime in order to deprive North Korea of all sources of income. In particular, the United States will continue to insist that China and Russia fulfilled its obligations and has not provided the regime the economic means of salvation, and urged him to abandon his dangerous ways.
As always, we will ensure military readiness in regard to the protection of our homeland, our citizens and our allies and maintain stability and security in northeast Asia. And once again, we’re talking about here: any attack will be stopped, and any use of nuclear weapons will be given an effective and powerful response.
Today North Korea is the pen of choice. To embark on a new path to peace, prosperity and international recognition, or continue to come down in the dead valley of militancy, poverty and isolation. United States prefer the first option and work for its implementation, but they remain vigilant in case of the second option.
Mr. Mattis — U.S. Secretary of defense
Mr. Tillerson — U.S. Secretary of state
