William Hague tells North Korea: Step back or else
FOREIGN Ministers in London for the G8 summit issued a stern warning to North Korea yesterday that there would be “further significant measures” taken if a missile test went ahead.
British Foreign Secretary William Hague conveyed the stark message as Pyongyang claimed it had “powerful striking means” on standby. Both South Korea and the US believe the rogue state is preparing to test-fire a missile designed to be capable of reaching Japan and the American territory of Guam in the Pacific.
Mr Hague said: “Clearly what we are talking about is in the field of sanctions. We would discuss such measures at the UN Security Council.”
But the Foreign Secretary said the G8 ministers – from the US, UK, Russia, France, Germany, Japan, Italy and Canada – did not want to further exacerbate tensions. US spy agencies believe North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un is trying to demonstrate he is firmly in command.
The Pentagon said yesterday that North Korea probably has nuclear weapons that can be launched by missile. But they are of low reliability.