DoD Sec Mattis: US, Allies Outmatch N Korea Militarily

BY MELANIE HUNTER ARTER  /  FAMILY SECURITY MATTERS

Defense Secretary James Mattis warned North Korea on Wednesday that when combined the U.S. and its allies have “the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth.”

The secretary issued a statement in response to news that Pyongyang had successfully developed nuclear warheads small enough to put on the head of a ballistic missile that could reach the U.S.

He made it clear that while the State Department is pursuing “diplomatic means” with Pyongyang, “North Korea will be grossly overmatched by the U.S. and its allies” and would lose any arms race it starts. “While our State Department is making every effort to resolve this global threat through diplomatic means, it must be noted that the combined allied militaries now possess the most precise, rehearsed and robust defensive and offensive capabilities on Earth,” Mattis said.

North Korea will continue to be grossly overmatched by the U.S. and its allies, he said, “and would lose any arms race or conflict it initiates.”

Mattis warned North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to take heed of the United Nations Security Council’s unified voice, and statements from governments the world over, who agree [North Korea] poses a threat to global security and stability.”

The secretary called on North Korea to “stop isolating itself and stand down its pursuit of nuclear weapons.” Furthermore, it should “cease any consideration of actions that would lead to the end of its regime and the destruction of its people,” he said.

Mattis noted that the president was informed that North Korea was a “growing threat last December” and once he was inaugurated, his first orders to Mattis “emphasized the readiness of our ballistic missile defense and nuclear deterrent forces.”

Courtesy of CNSNews.com 

Melanie has been with CNSNews.com since November 2000 as an evening editor responsible for writing, editing and posting stories to the website. She was promoted to deputy managing editor in 2002, overseeing the radio production department in addition to her daily editing duties. Prior to working at CNSNews.com, Melanie served as news director for WKYS-FM, one of Washington, D.C.’s top-rated radio stations. Ms. Hunter also worked as a traffic reporter for Shadow Broadcasting in the nation’s capital and prior to that, as a news anchor/reporter for WAMO-FM in Pittsburgh, Pa. Her television experience was obtained at several Washington, D.C. stations. She worked for America’s Most Wanted at Fox affiliate WTTG, the Creative Services Department of WUSA-TV and the Evening Exchange on WHUT-TV. She holds a bachelor’s degree in television production from Howard University.

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