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US lobbies for increased pressures on N. Korea

WASHINGTON, April 26 (KUNA) -- The US is "engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure" on North Korea "in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue," US top officials said on Wednesday Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats stressed, in a joint statement, that "past efforts have failed to halt North Korea's unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests." "With each provocation, North Korea jeopardizes stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our Allies and the U.S. homeland," they argued.
They noted that North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weapons is "an urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority." They indicated that President Donald Trump's approach "aims to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear, ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic sanctions and pursuing diplomatic measures with our Allies and regional partners." "We will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with our Allies, especially the Republic of Korea and Japan, as we work together to preserve stability and prosperity in the region," they said.
They affirmed that the US "seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal. However, we remain prepared to defend ourselves and our Allies." Pentagon chief, the US top diplomat, Intelligence chief and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joe Dunford conducted a "classified" briefing on North Korea to all 100 Senators at the White House. They briefed Members of Congress on the review Trump ordered of US policy pertaining to North Korea. (end) si.gb