Regional allies react to US ‘end of patience’ on N. Korea

Allies of the US have joined Washington’s saber-rattling towards Pyongyang as Vice-President Mike Pence said America has run out of “strategic patience” towards North Korea.

The words resonated in Japan and South Korea, both of which share the US’ hardline stance on the North Korean issue. Key US ally in the region, Japan, said it is considering preparations for a flow of refugees and evacuation of Japanese nationals from the Korean Peninsula in case of an escalation.

“The Trump administration has been clear they won't be taking the ‘strategic patience’ and all options are on the table in order to tackle the problem, which is something our country approves,” Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament on Monday.

“We are consistently thinking and preparing for situations where Japanese residents on the Korean Peninsula will need to be protected or evacuated.”

Pence took a tough stance towards Pyongyang while visiting the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas on Monday. The VP announced the “end of strategic patience” towards Pyongyang and stated that “all options are on the table,” implying a military solution of the standoff.

Acting South Korean President Hwang Kyo-ahn went as far as promising to punish North Korea if it continues “provocations,” while praising alliance with the US as a “pillar of peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.”

“...we will swiftly implement intensive punitive measures based on our [US and South Korea] cooperation with China,” Hwang Kyo-ahn said at a joint press conference with Pence.

While China has not been so harsh regarding Pyongyang, it is reportedly pressing North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. Beijing could stop supplying oil to Pyongyang if it conducts a new nuclear test, according to the Global Times newspaper. North Korea depends on China for 90 percent of its crude oil supply and the danger of losing it may indeed shift Pyongyang’s policies. The move is in line with what US President Donald Trump tweeted earlier, saying China and the US should cooperate on North Korea.
  [rt.com]
 17/4/17
-
Related:

• US Vice President Pence visits Korean demilitarized zone amid rising tensions
• North Korea behaviour can not continue, says US security adviser
• US State Secretary, China's Top Diplomat Discuss Situation on Korean Peninsula
• North Korea missile test fails after showcase parade
• La Corée du Nord promet une "réponse sans pitié" à toute provocation américaine
• Japan to conduct evacuation drill to prepare for North Korea missiles
• ‘Riskier than striking Syria’: Beijing warns US against attacking North Korea

--
***Il pensait même très joliment autrefois, je pouvais l'écouter pendant des heures.
***Un jour, ça ne vous suffit pas, un jour pareil aux autres il est devenu muet, un jour je suis devenu aveugle, un jour nous deviendrons sourds, un jour nous sommes nés, un jour nous mourrons, le même jour, le même instant, ça ne vous suffit pas ?