The US has raised the spectre of military action to deal with North Korea, as it warns that the path to a diplomatic solution is narrowing after the regime’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.
Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN, said Monday’s long-range ballistic missile test was a “clear and sharp military escalation” that marked the latest in a series of North Korean actions that were “quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution”.
“The US is prepared to use the full range of our capabilities to defend ourselves and our allies,” Ms Haley said at the UN Security Council. “One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces. We will use them if we must, but we prefer not to have to go in that direction.”
