Yonhap: Trump’s N. Korea policy packed with sticks, rather than carrots

[DEFCONWarningSystem]

Clearer contours of the new U.S. policy on North Korea emerged as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made unmistakably clear that carrots have failed to disarm Pyongyang and the new package of options will be packed with sticks, including even the use of force.

“All options are on the table,” a diplomatic parlance that usually refers to military action, was said twice during Tillerson’s joint news conference in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se as the top American diplomat delivered a thinly veiled warning to Pyongyang.

“All of the options are on the table. Certainly, we do not want for things to get to a military conflict … But obviously, if North Korea takes actions that threaten the South Korean forces or our own forces, then that would be met with an appropriate response,” Tillerson said.

“If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table,” he said, referring to a military option.

At the same time, Tillerson also said that reopening negotiations any time soon is not an option.

“It is important that the leadership of North Korea realize that their current pathway of nuclear weapons and escalating threats will not lead to their objective of security and economic development. That pathway can only be achieved by denuclearizing, giving up their weapons of mass destruction,” Tillerson said.

“And only then will we be prepared to engage with them in talks,” he said.

Read full article at Yonhap

[Obreid]

Clearer contours of the new U.S. policy on North Korea emerged as Secretary of State Rex Tillerson made unmistakably clear that carrots have failed to disarm Pyongyang and the new package of options will be packed with sticks, including even the use of force.

“All options are on the table,” a diplomatic parlance that usually refers to military action, was said twice during Tillerson’s joint news conference in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se as the top American diplomat delivered a thinly veiled warning to Pyongyang.

“All of the options are on the table. Certainly, we do not want for things to get to a military conflict … But obviously, if North Korea takes actions that threaten the South Korean forces or our own forces, then that would be met with an appropriate response,” Tillerson said.

“If they elevate the threat of their weapons program to a level that we believe requires action, that option is on the table,” he said, referring to a military option.

At the same time, Tillerson also said that reopening negotiations any time soon is not an option.

“It is important that the leadership of North Korea realize that their current pathway of nuclear weapons and escalating threats will not lead to their objective of security and economic development. That pathway can only be achieved by denuclearizing, giving up their weapons of mass destruction,” Tillerson said.

“And only then will we be prepared to engage with them in talks,” he said.

Read full article at Yonhap

Well twenty years of throwing carrots at them hasn't worked. Maybe bluff or threat needs called at some point. It seems safe to say that at some point in future it will come to blows.
If Seoul gets nuked I wonder if they will put up a statue of Bubba Clinton at the memorial.

[Drumboy44]

Article goes on to say...

"Surely one of Mr. Tillerson's key messages to the Chinese leadership -- and one of President Trump's key messages to President Xi when they meet -- will be that without such PRC engagement, the chances of conflict will likely grow," he said.

Should he have given a more stern warning? Non the less, it's growing