Pence, Turnbull agree to raise pressure on Pyongyang

Stephen Fitzpatrick, theaustralian.com.au

Pence/Turnbull image from

Excerpt:

All options are on the table for achieving a nuclear-free Korean peninsula, with the US warning it is “prepared to do what’s necessary” to bring Pyongyang to heel.

Demanding that China do more to turn North Korea away from its nuclear position, including the possible threat of a strike on the continental United States, US Vice-President Mike Pence described the Pacific situation as “just a very serious time”.

In Sydney after meeting Malcolm Turnbull, Mr Pence repeatedly declared the “era of strategic patience is over” with North Korea, and said US President Donald Trump believed a nuclear-free peninsula “can occur peaceably largely due to a new commitment from China.” ...

Mr Turnbull said it was “self evident” that China had the “greatest leverage” and called for an end to North Korea’s “reckless and dangerous conduct”.

“At this stage the support we are providing at the level of diplomacy, of private and public diplomacy, is of critical importance, and we are confident China will step up,” the Prime Minister said. ...