U.S. President Donald Trump should “under no circumstances” take military action against North Korea without the consent of the government in Seoul, the chairwoman of South Korea’s ruling party, Choo Mi-ae, said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
“President Trump often emphasizes that he put all options on the table,” Choo was quoted as having told a Washington think-tank.
“We want to make sure that this option of another war is not placed on the table. Under no circumstances should the U.S. go ahead and use a military option without the consent of South Korea,” she added.
“We must seek a peaceful resolution of the matter in any manner that is available to us,” said Choo.
The remarks by Choo, who is expected to meet Trump administration officials in Washington, underscored South Korean concerns that any U.S. strikes against North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs could provoke devastating North Korean retaliation against South Korea.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump said that the "twisted dictatorship" in North Korea cannot blackmail the world, adding that the goal is to "denuclearize" North Korea and stressing the U.S. has made clear "all options remain on the table."
His comments in a televised address came a day after he returned from a 12-day tour of Asia where he visited South Korea, among other places.
Visiting Seoul last week, Trump warned North Korea he was prepared to use the full range of U.S. military power to stop any attack, but also urged Pyongyang to “make a deal.”
On Wednesday, Trump said he and Chinese President Xi Jinping had rejected a “freeze for freeze” agreement.
China and Russia have previously advocated such a plan, where the United States and South Korea stop major military exercises in exchange for North Korea halting its weapons programs. It was not clear if this was what Trump meant.
Choo, whose president and fellow Democratic Party leader Moon Jae-in has advocated dialogue with North Korea, said Seoul backed Trump’s policy of maximum pressure on Pyongyang through sanctions and there should be no talks for the sake of talks.
However, she also said blocking opportunities for dialogue could prompt North Korean “miscalculation.”
