(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, Aug 14 (KUNA) -- The US, with the support of the international community, is "applying diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea" in hopes of denuclearizing and dismantling the country's ballistic missile programs.
"We are replacing the failed policy of 'strategic patience,' which expedited the North Korean threat, with a new policy of strategic accountability," said Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in a Op-Ed released in the Wall Street Journal on Monday.
The message comes in response to North Korea's ballistic missile tests over the past few months and recent language about striking the US, Guam, and its allies.
"The US has no interest in regime change or accelerated reunification of Korea. We do not seek an excuse to garrison US troops north of the Demilitarized Zone. We have no desire to inflict harm on the long-suffering North Korean people," the official affirmed.
The US and South Korea have worked together on conducting joint military exercises and defense preparations such as plans to install Terminal High-Altitutde Area Defense (THAAD) launchers on the Korean Peninsula.
"North Korea now faces a choice. Take a new path toward peace, prosperity and international acceptance, or continue further down the dead alley of belligerence, poverty and isolation," said Tillerson and Mattis. "The US will aspire and work for the former, and will remain vigilant against the latter." (end) ak.mt
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