‘Major, major’ conflict with North Korea possible, but diplomacy first, Trump says
Trump says he wants to peacefully resolve a crisis that has bedevilled multiple US presidents, a path that he and his administration are emphasising
U.S. President Donald Trump said a “major, major conflict” with North Korea was possible over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, while China said the situation on the Korean peninsula could escalate or slip out of control.
Trump said he wanted to resolve the crisis peacefully, possibly through the use of new economic sanctions, although a military option was not off the table.
“There is a chance that we could end up having a major, major conflict with North Korea. Absolutely,” Trump spoke in an Oval Office interview ahead of his 100th day in office on Saturday.
“We’d love to solve things diplomatically but it’s very difficult,” he said.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said there was a danger that the situation on the Korean peninsula could escalate or slip out of control, his ministry said.