Tillerson mattis present united front north korea urge china act

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Tillerson and Mattis Present United Front on North Korea, Urge China to Act

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary James Mattis presented a united front on North Korea, urging China to take a more active role in addressing the nuclear threat posed by Pyongyang.

In a joint press conference at the Pentagon, Tillerson and Mattis emphasized the need for China to use its significant economic leverage to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program. They also warned that the US would not rule out military action if diplomacy fails to achieve its goals.

Tillerson stated that the US is "not looking for war" with North Korea, but that the country's nuclear program poses a "grave threat" to regional and global security. He urged China to use its influence to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear ambitions, saying that Beijing has a "unique opportunity" to shape the outcome of the crisis.

Mattis added that the US is prepared to take military action if necessary, but that it prefers a diplomatic solution. He emphasized that the US is committed to defending its allies in the region, including South Korea and Japan, and that it will not tolerate North Korea's nuclear threats.

The joint statement by Tillerson and Mattis comes as tensions on the Korean Peninsula remain high, following a series of missile tests by North Korea and a failed summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in February.

The US has been seeking to pressure North Korea into abandoning its nuclear program through a combination of economic sanctions and diplomatic efforts. However, the country's nuclear ambitions remain a major challenge for the international community, and the US is seeking to rally support from its allies and partners to address the crisis.

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