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Tillerson: Military action against North Korea 'an option' Tillerson: Military action against North Korea 'an option'
(35 minutes later)
Military action against North Korea is "an option on the table", US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has said during a visit to South Korea. The US has said its policy of "strategic patience" with North Korea is over, and suggested it may decide to take pre-emptive military action.
The policy of "strategic patience" had ended, he said, and the US was exploring a new range of diplomatic, security and economic measures. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the option was "on the table" if the threat from the North's weapons programme reached a level requiring it.
He also defended the deployment of a US missile defence system in South Korea - a move that has angered Beijing. During a visit to South Korea, he also said the US was exploring a range of new diplomatic and economic measures.
Seoul and Washington say the system is needed to defend against North Korea. He also defended the deployment of a US missile system in South Korea.
The move has angered China, but South Korea and the US say the system is needed to defend against North Korea.
Mr Tillerson spoke shortly after visiting the demilitarised zone which divides the two Koreas.Mr Tillerson spoke shortly after visiting the demilitarised zone which divides the two Koreas.
He arrived in South Korea from Japan, where he said that 20 years of efforts aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions had failed.He arrived in South Korea from Japan, where he said that 20 years of efforts aimed at persuading North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions had failed.
Asked if the possibility for military action existed, he said: "Certainly we do not want to, for things to get to military conflict."Asked if the possibility for military action existed, he said: "Certainly we do not want to, for things to get to military conflict."
But he added: "If they elevate the threat of their weapons programme to a level that we believe requires action, then, that option's on the table." But he said: "If they elevate the threat of their weapons programme to a level that we believe requires action, then that option's on the table."
He also called on China to fully implement sanctions imposed by the UN in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile tests. Mr Tillerson also called on China to fully implement sanctions imposed by the UN in response to North Korea's nuclear and missile tests.
"I don't believe we have ever fully achieved the maximum level of action that can be taken under the UN Security Council resolution with full participation of all countries," he said."I don't believe we have ever fully achieved the maximum level of action that can be taken under the UN Security Council resolution with full participation of all countries," he said.
The US accuses China, North Korea's main ally, of not doing enough to rein it in. But Beijing remains wary of any action that could destabilise the North Korean regime and potentially create chaos on its border.The US accuses China, North Korea's main ally, of not doing enough to rein it in. But Beijing remains wary of any action that could destabilise the North Korean regime and potentially create chaos on its border.
China is also strongly opposed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system in South Korea.China is also strongly opposed to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (Thaad) system in South Korea.
The US says the system is aimed at countering the threat from Pyongyang but China says its powerful radar will allow the US to spy on its territory. The US says the system is aimed at countering the threat from Pyongyang, but China says its powerful radar will allow the US to spy on its territory.
In recent days there have been multiple reports of apparent economic retaliation aimed at South Korea by Beijing.In recent days there have been multiple reports of apparent economic retaliation aimed at South Korea by Beijing.
Rex Tillerson called these actions "unnecessary and troubling". Mr Tillerson called these actions "unnecessary and troubling".
"We also believe it is not the way for a regional power to help resolve what is a serious threat for everyone," he said."We also believe it is not the way for a regional power to help resolve what is a serious threat for everyone," he said.