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Trump criticizes Kim Jong Un by calling his name

Posted February. 25, 2017 07:15,   

Updated February. 25, 2017 07:22

한국어
As for various provocations of the North Korean regime including mid-range missile tests, U.S. President Donald Trump said, “We’re very angry at what he’s done.”

Trump had an interview with Reuter on Thursday (local time) at the oval office of the White House and said about North Korea’s missile program, “It’s very dangerous and unacceptable.” It was the first time that Trump mentioned the North Korean leader’s name since he took the office last month and it is projected that the Trump administration will soon take a “super-hardline” approach to pressure the North.

With regard to responsive measures on the threat of North Korea, he said, “Accelerating missile defense system of our allies including Japan and Korea is one of many things that can be done. There’s talks of a lot more than that. We’ll see what happens.” It is interpreted as that he will pursue to promptly deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) first and simultaneously review ways to impose sanctions on North by the United Nations as well as by the U.S. independently.

On whether meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is a possibility, he said, “I would never say no. But it may be very late.” He made it clear that he will now focus on pressuring the North. During last year’s presidential campaign, Trump said, "We should be eating a hamburger on a conference table."

As for the issue of China halting coal imports from North Korea and other measures to pressure the North, he said, “We appreciate that. But they have tremendous control over North Korea. I thing they could solve the problem very easily if they want.” It means that he wants China to be tougher with North than now.



Seung-Heon Lee ddr@donga.com