Jim Mattis warns North Korea against actions that 'would lead to the end of its regime'

Aug 9, 2017, 1:02 PM




Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday warned North Korea to cease consideration of actions that could provoke the U.S. and other countries in a way that could end badly for the regime.

"Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council's unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree the DPRK poses a threat to global security and stability," he said in a statement.

"The DPRK must choose to stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons," he added. "The DPRK should cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people."

"The DPRK regime's actions will continue to be grossly overmatched by ours and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates," Mattis said.

Mattis said the U.S. is working diplomatically to resolve the threat over the North's burgeoning nuclear missile program but its coalition of allies "now possess the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth."

Kim Jong Un's regime said Tuesday it was considering launching missiles near Guam, a U.S. territory that is home to a major Air Force base.

President Trump warned Tuesday that the North will be met with "fire and fury" for continued provocations and a new intelligence assessment determined the regime can now miniaturize nuclear warheads, a key milestone in its pursuit of nuclear-tipped intercontinental missiles capable of striking American cities.

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