Following a briefing of members of Congress on April 26, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense James Mattis, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats released a statement reasserting the Trump administration’s approach to North Korea.
The statement was not a departure from recent administration policy: the officials said they would use diplomatic means to seek denuclearization of the Korean peninsula but remain prepared to defend the United States and its allies.
We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK in order to convince the regime to de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue. We will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with our Allies, especially the Republic of Korea and Japan, as we work together to preserve stability and prosperity in the region.
Joint statement of Secretary Tillerson, Secretary Mattis and Director Coates
President Donald Trump’s approach remains to pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear and ballistics programs through economic sanctions and diplomatic pressure, the statement said.