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Donald Trump warns ‘major, major conflict’ with North Korea is ‘absolutely’ possible | Donald Trump warns ‘major, major conflict’ with North Korea is ‘absolutely’ possible |
(35 minutes later) | |
Donald Trump has warned about a "major, major conflict" between the US and North Korea, saying a catastrophic confrontation with the isolated state was "absolutely" possible. | |
In an interview ahead of his 100th day in office, the President said he was committed to resolving the diplomatic crisis peacefully. | |
But he added: “There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely.” | |
Speaking to the Reuters news agency, Mr Trump said the actions by Pyongyang were his biggest global worry. | |
He also lavished praise on Chinese President Xi Jinping for Chinese assistance in trying to rein in North Korea, saying he was a “very good man” who he had got to know “very well”. | |
"I believe he is trying very hard. He certainly doesn’t want to see turmoil and death. He doesn’t want to see it,” Mr Trump said. | |
Asked if he considered North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to be rational, the Republican billionaire said: "He's 27 years old. His father dies, took over a regime. So say what you want but that is not easy, especially at that age. | |
"I'm not giving him credit or not giving him credit, I'm just saying that's a very hard thing to do. As to whether or not he's rational, I have no opinion on it. I hope he's rational.” | |
On Wednesday, the Trump administration declared North Korea "an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority". | |
It said it was focusing on sanctions and diplomatic pressure but that military strikes remained an option. | |
However, any direct US military action would run the risk of massive North Korean retaliation and huge casualties in Japan and South Korea – and US forces in both countries. | |
Additional reporting Reuters |
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