Tillerson ‘pleased’ with North Korea’s recent ‘restraint’

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday he is “pleased” that North Korea has shown “some level of restraint” in recent weeks, suggesting that the country’s recent cessation of missile tests could help pave the way for talks with the U.S.

“We hope that this is the beginning of this signal that we’ve been looking for — that they are ready to restrain their level of tensions, they’re ready to restrain their provocative acts and that perhaps we are seeing our pathway to sometime in the near future having some dialogue,” Tillerson said at a press briefing.

“We need to see more on their part, but I want to acknowledge the steps they’ve taken thus far,” he added. “I think it’s important to take note of that.”

{mosads}

Tillerson’s comments on Tuesday came hours after the Trump administration announced new sanctions on Russian and Chinese entities accused of facilitating North Korea’s weapons programs. 

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang escalated earlier this month after reports that North Korea had developed a miniaturized nuclear warhead small enough to fit inside one of its missiles.

President Trump responded to that news by threatening to unleash “fire and fury” on Pyongyang, ratcheting up concern among U.S. allies and partners that the countries were hurtling toward conflict.

North Korea’s military said earlier this month that it was planning a strike in the waters near Guam, a U.S. territory in the Pacific that is home to key military installations.

But North Korea has not tested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) since the United Nations Security Council voted unanimously this month to impose new sanctions on the country.