NATO leader urges all nations to put pressure on N. Korea

October 29, 2017

BRUSSELS- North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday called on all nations to continue to put pressure on North Korea in the face of increasing threats from the reclusive state.

"No NATO allies and of course NATO do not want war," Stoltenberg said in an interview with Jiji Press, referring to growing tensions with Pyongyang.

"That would be a disaster," he added, stressing the importance of peacefully resolving the situation.

Stoltenberg then said, "All nations have to fully implement in a transparent way the economic sanctions and we need to continue to put pressure on North Korea."

Noting that Russia has special responsibility as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council and a neighbor of North Korea, the NATO leader urged Moscow to fully implement sanctions resolutions adopted by the powerful U.N. body.

At the same time, Stoltenberg said, "NATO has the capabilities and the resolve to respond to any threat and to any aggressor."

On North Korea's possible firing of ballistic missiles to areas around the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam, Stoltenberg said the United States has the right to protect itself and its allies.

Asked whether NATO will consider exercising the right to collective self-defense in the event of an attack on U.S. territories, however, Stoltenberg said he will not speculate about any hypothetical situation. Jiji Press