Trump sent powerful and unmistakable signal to N. Korea: top aide

U.S. President Donald Trump says Washington stands one-hundred percent behind Japan after
North Korea launched its first ballistic missile since he took office.
The move was clearly seen by both Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe as a targeted
act of provocation.
One of President Trump's top aides says the U.S. will send North Korea another signal
of its discontent very soon.
Kim Mok-yeon reports.
Just over three weeks since President Trump's inauguration, North Korea threw down its first
test to the new administration on Sunday... with its launch of a new type of ballistic
missile.
The leaders of the United States and Japan were quick to condemn the launch.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it "absolutely intolerable" adding that the
regime must comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
President Trump said the United States completely stands behind Japan.
"Thank you very much Mr. Prime Minister.
I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States stands behind
Japan, it's great ally, 100 percent.
Thank you."
A few hours later,... a senior policy adviser to President Trump told U.S. news outlets
that the United States will reinforce and strengthen vital alliances in the Asia-Pacific
region in order to clamp down on North Korea.
Stephen Miller explained that Trump's short statement sent a powerful and unmistakable
signal to North Korea and the entire world as he stood shoulder to shoulder with the
prime minister of Japan and declared America's steadfast support of the alliance.
"The message is that we are going to reinforce and strengthen our vital alliances in the
Pacific region as part of our strategy to deter and prevent the increasing hostility
that we've seen in recent years from the North Korean regime."
Miller said the Trump administration would also be "sending another signal very soon"
to North Korea -- one involving a show of military might.
Calls for additional sanctions on North Korea are growing.
Republican senator Cory Gardner urged the administration to come up with stronger action
against North Korea by pushing through with a secondary boycott on Chinese firms doing
business with the North and deploying the THAAD missile defense system to South Korea
as soon as possible.
Tension is building as the issue of a preemptive attack has also been brought up in a joint
session between the upper and lower houses.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.

Trump sent powerful and unmistakable signal to N. Korea: top aide

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