Nikki Haley: China’s involvement has put pressure on North Korea

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki R. Haley said Monday that China’s involvement in curtailing North Korea’s nuclear development has contributed to Kim Jung-un’s escalated attacks.

“I think it’s a new day when you’ve got China and the United States working together on a statement to condemn North Korea,” said Ms. Haley on NBC’s “Today.” “They’ve put pressure on him. He feels it. That’s why he’s responding this way.”

She also said that the U.S. is not looking for a fight in North Korea, but that certain actions will require a response.

“If you see him attack a military base, if you see some sort of intercontinental ballistic missile,” she said, “Then the president steps in and decides what’s going to happen.”

Ms. Haley did not have any new information on the American detained in North Korea, but said it was another attempt for Mr. Kim to provoke a U.S. response. This now brings the number of Americans held in the country to three.