The United States President, Donald Trump says the era of strategic patience when it comes to the United States stance toward North Korea is now over, suggesting imminent attack at the slightest provocation. Trump stated this on Sunday during a joint news conference in Tokyo alongside Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe.
According to him, "Some people said that my rhetoric is very strong. But look at what's happened with very weak rhetoric over the last 25 years. Look where we are now." Speaking, Japanese Prime Minister called on the United Nations to strengthen sanctions against North Korea and disclosed that Japan was mulling plans to freeze assets of 35 North Korea entities and individuals. He maintained that Japan was in complete agreement to all measures that would address the North Korean issue.
"We are in complete agreement as to the measures to be taken on the situation with North Korea. For more than 20 some years, the international community attempted dialogue with North Korea. Now is the time not for dialogue but for applying a maximum level of pressure on North Korea."
Trump also called on North Korea to immediately release hostages being held in the country stressing that such action could signal the beginning of something 'special'. "If he would send them back I think it would be the start of something -- just the start of something very special."
He described the People of North Korea as great but lamented that they are under a repressive regime.
"I think that these are great people. They are under a very repressive regime and I really think that, ultimately, I can tell you this I hope it all works out. It would be better for everybody. Certainly, it would be better for North Korea but it would be better for everybody"
