United States and China to work together to deal with North Korea

Tillerson described the weapons programs as “dangerous and unlawful”.

Secretary of State Tillerson visited the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea Friday.

China, which has taken it upon itself to act as a mediator on the North Korea nuclear issue, proposed that North Korea suspend its nuclear and missile programs while the US and South Korea suspend joint military exercises. Pyongyang claims the drills are a rehearsal for invasion. “That would leave North Korea with significant capabilities that would represent a true threat”.

That deal collapsed in 2002 and years of stop-start efforts to reach a new deal have amounted to little, with North Korea actively pursuing nuclear weapons and the missiles with which to deliver them, according to the report.

Tillerson later held talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during which he stated his intention to maintain close cooperation with Japan.

Ho observed that whether the USA takes a soft or tough approach on North Korea, it will need the cooperation of China. President Donald Trump is reportedly working with Chinese officials to plan a US visit by President Xi Jinping next month. Washington says the maneuvers are routine and defensive.

Tillerson’s comments in Seoul that “all of the options are on the table“, including possible military action, are likely to be deeply disconcerting to Beijing, which fears that a collapse of Kim’s regime would send waves of refugees into northeastern China and land South Korean and American forces on its border. He spoke through a translator.

“It’s my expectation that the new government in South Korea will continue to be supportive of the THAAD system, because it is directed exclusively at the defense of the ROK”, Tillerson said, referring to the South by its official acronym.

Topping their agenda was North Korea’s launch last week of a salvo of four missiles, one of which came down in waters just 320km (200 miles) off Japan’s coast. “If they elevate the threat of their weapons programme to a level that we believe require action, then, that option’s on the table“.

He said his trip was meant to get input from other governments.

He was scheduled to go to China on Saturday and Sunday. That encouragement has been met with further development of nuclear capabilities, more missile launches, including those of the recent February 11th and March the 5th. Tillerson, however, stressed that co-operation with Japan and South Korea was “critical”.

US President Donald Trump made it a hallmark of his presidential campaign to call on USA allies, including Japan, to pay more for hosting US forces and other elements of American protection.

US officials insist the system has nothing to do with China and point out that it is not an offensive weapon.

Japan and South Korea both host tens of thousands of US troops.

China has also been infuriated by the deployment of the THAAD, or Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, missile defence system in South Korea, which it says will both harm China’s own security and do nothing to ease tensions. In return, South Korea was to stop criticizing Japan on the issue.