President Obama ushered in some tough talk in his Tuesday-evening State of the Union address, pledging the United States would take a leadership role against North Korea’s provocative nuclear test.
“Provocations of the sort we saw last night will only isolate them further, as we stand by our allies, strengthen our own missile defense, and lead the world in taking firm action in response to these threats,” Mr. Obama said, according to a Reuters report.
North Korea, meanwhile, has threatened more tests if the U.S. doesn’t stop what it terms “hostility,” Reuters continued.
Reuters did not specify what actions the United States would take in leading the world against North Korea. China, the United Nations, Japan and South Korea, as well as the United States, have all issued strong statements of condemnation against North Korea.
Military experts in Washington believe North Korea still has a way to go before it has a nuclear-capable missile with a range that can reach the United States. But North Korea said this third test generated “greater explosive force” than the previous tests in 2006 and 2009, Reuters reported. North Korea media reports the third test included a “miniaturized,” lighter-weight nuclear device, similar to what can be used in a missile warhead.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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