US pledges to put pressure on N Korea return to nuclear talks
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WASHINGTON: The United States pledged Wednesday to step up sanctions to force North Korea to resume dialogue over its nuclear program, but said it was not looking to bring Kim Jong-Un's regime to its knees.
After briefing senators at the White House, top US officials said President Donald Trump also aimed to pursue diplomatic measures with allies and regional partners.
"We are 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," read a statement from Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.
Earlier, Admiral Harry Harris, who heads the Pacific Command, welcomed recent moves by Beijing to defuse soaring tensions between Pyongyang and Washington, and suggested a non-military solution remained the preferred outcome.
"It's critical that we're guided by a strong sense of resolve, both privately and publicly, both diplomatically and militarily," Harris said in Washington.
National security adviser H.R. McMaster told the 15 ambassadors that "there would be a military solution even if they don't want to do it," the diplomat said. (APP)