Any threat will be met with 'massive military response': James Mattis warns North Korea

US Defence Secretary James Mattis on Sunday issued a blunt warning to North Korea after it carried out its biggest nuclear test saying they will launch a “massive military response” to any threats from the reclusive nation.

The official Korean Central News Agency claimed on Sunday claimed that North Korea has developed a hydrogen bomb which can be loaded into the country’s new intercontinental ballistic missile.

While interacting with reporters at the White House, Mattis said, “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.”

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After a small group of national security members held a meeting with US President Donald Trump and the Vice President Mike Pence on Sunday in view of the latest provocation on the Korean Peninsula, Mattis briefed the media about the same.

“We have many military options. The president wanted to be briefed on each one of them,” the US Defence Secretary said.

“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-nuclearisation 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,” he added.

Mattis’ remarks came after US President Donald Trump warned that “appeasement” won’t work with Pyongyang whose “words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous” to the US.

(With PTI inputs)

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