US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Monday it would be "shocking" irresponsibility for North Korea to carry out its threat to test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific.
The new comments, made while Mattis headed for India, followed a shrill war of words between the North Korean and US leaders over Pyongyang's nuclear programme.
Pyongyang's Foreign Minister Ri Yong-Ho said on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Saturday that his country could test a nuclear bomb over the Pacific.
"This would be a shocking display of irresponsibility for global health, towards stability, towards non-proliferation," Mattis told reporters on his flight to India.
He declined to comment when asked if such a test would constitute an act of war.
Amid bitter wrangling between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, US bombers and jet fighters flew off the North Korean coast on Saturday in a show of force.
The North's nuclear programme will be one of the regional security topics raised by Mattis with Indian leaders during his three-day stay.
Source: AFP
GMT 07:20 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Turkey gave US heads-up on Syria operation: MattisGMT 10:25 2017 Saturday ,30 December
Syrian offensive against Kurds would be a 'mistake'GMT 08:19 2017 Sunday ,17 December
Mattis emphasizes diplomacy in dealing with IranGMT 18:59 2017 Saturday ,28 October
Mattis says US 'not rushing to war' with N. KoreaGMT 19:59 2017 Monday ,23 October
US defense secretary praises Philippines progress vs militantsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor