U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has said U.N. Security Council has run out of options to contain North Korea and that her country may have to turn to Pentagon to deal with the hermit kingdom.
Ms. Haley’s remarks on CNN on Sunday added to a chorus of threats by U.S. officials, who pledged unwavering support for U.S. allies in the region and massive retaliation against North Korea if necessary.
“We have pretty much exhausted all the things that we can do at the Security Council at this point,” Ms. Haley said, adding that she is ready to hand the issue over to Defense Secretary James Mattis.
The ambassador’s remarks illustrated that Washington is ready to bypass U.N. Security Council, where China and Russia hold veto power, to deal with the regime of Kim Jong-Un. President Donald J. Trump and other senior U.S. officials repeatedly said the military option is on the table.
Ms. Haley said Mr. Trump’s “fire and fury” threat is not an empty one and that North Korea will be destroyed if North Korea keeps on with this reckless behavior.
On Thursday, North Korea again defied international sanctions and launched missile over Japan into the Pacific Ocean. It was the second similar missile launch this month.