(MENAFN- Asia Times)
US Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats that the time for making a final a decision on Washington's response to North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile programs is drawing "ever closer."
Coats made the remark during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing in Washington in which he echoed other US officials by saying the regime poses a potentially "significant" threat to the US.
"I agree with you that the decision time is becoming ever closer, in terms of how we respond to this," Coats said in response to a question from Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID).
"Our goal is a peaceful settlement," he added, noting the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign, which involves increasing economic and diplomatic sanctions against Pyongyang. "But we have to face the fact that this is an existential — potentially existential problem for the United States."
Must-reads from across Asia - directly to your inbox Comments
MENAFN1402201801590000ID1096463429
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.