Shortly after an emergency meeting at the White House Sunday afternoon, Secretary of Defense James Mattis said a number of "massive" military options are on the table in response to North Korea's underground nuclear test yesterday.
“We had a small group national security meeting today with the president, the vice president about the latest provocation on the Korean Peninsula. We have many military options. The president wanted to be briefed on each one of them," Mattis said standing next to Joint Chiefs Chairman General Joseph Dunford. “We made clear that we have the ability to defend ourselves and our allies, South Korea and Japan, from any attack. And our commitment among the allies is ironclad: Any threat to the United States or its territories, including Guam, or our allies will be met with a massive military response, a response both effective and overwhelming."
“Kim Jong Un should take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice - all members unanimously agreed on the threat North Korea poses and they remain unanimous on their commitment to the de-nuclearization of the Korean Peninsula because we are not looking to the total annihilation of a country, namely North Korea. As I said, we have many options to do so. Thank you very much, ladies and gentleman,” he continued.
President Trump called the meeting Sunday after North Korea carried out what security analysts are calling "it's most powerful nuclear test yet" and claim they have an atomic bomb small enough to put on an intercontinental ballistic missile. He also put pressure on South Korea to do more than engage in diplomatic relations with Kim Jong Un.
I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017
South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017
Meanwhile, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced Sunday he is crafting new sanctions against North Korea in light of the test. The President said the United States is considering a halt in trade with any country that helps North Korea, which includes China.
The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 3, 2017