The United States confirmed this week that they will do everything to stop North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, even deploying military actions if necessary. 

This was remarked by Senator Cory Gardner, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, at the conference hosted by the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. 

“I believe U.S. policy toward North Korea should be straightforward,” he said at his speech. 
“The United States will deploy every economic, diplomatic, and if necessary, military tool at our disposal to deter Pyongyang and to protect our allies,” he added. 

In additions, he said that China was to blame for North Korea’s continued provocations. 
“Despite the Trump administration’s earnest efforts to induce China to action, China’s response has been lacking,” he said. “China must move beyond an articulation of concern and lay out a transparent path of focused pressure to denuclearise North Korea.” 

Following this statement, he accused China in engaging in “shameful economic sanctions campaign” against South Korea as they imposed restrictions because of the U.S. THAAD missile defence system. 

Moreover, he stated that Pyongyang must agree to their commitments before being offered talks with Seoul. 

“Before any talks, we must demand Pyongyang first meet the denuclearisation commitments that it had already agreed to and subsequently violated,” he said. 

Previously, Gardner has authored the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act which was signed into law in 2016. 

The law targeted North Korea and imposed mandatory sanctions on those assisting Pyongyang with their nuclear and missile programs, cyber-attacks and human right abuses.