“If you see him attack a military base, if you see some sort of intercontinental ballistic missile, then obviously we’re going to do that,” Nikki Haley says. | AP Photo Haley: Another missile test by North Korea could prompt U.S. military action

Another ballistic missile test from North Korea could prompt a military reaction from the United States, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said Monday morning.

Speaking from Washington, where she and other members of the U.N. Security Council will meet with President Donald Trump later Monday, Haley told NBC’s “Today” show that “we are not going to do anything unless he gives us reason to do something.” But should North Korea continue its recent pattern of saber-rattling, Haley said the U.S. is prepared to respond with military force.


“If you see him attack a military base, if you see some sort of intercontinental ballistic missile, then obviously we’re going to do that,” Haley said in response to a question about what activity from North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un might prompt a response from the U.S. military. “But right now, we're saying don't test, don’t use nuclear missiles, don’t try and do any more actions, and I think he's understanding that and China’s helping us really put that pressure on him.”

“Let me just make sure I understand what you just said,” NBC anchor Matt Lauer followed up. “If he tests another intercontinental ballistic missile, if he were to test another nuclear device, when you say, ‘Obviously we're going to do that,’ do you mean military retaliation?”

“I think then the president steps in and decides what's going to happen,” Haley replied.

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North Korea has attempted two missile tests in recent weeks, one of which was successful, and was engaged in preparations consistent with a possible sixth nuclear weapon test. In response to the stepped-up activity from North Korea, the U.S. military moved an aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, into the waters off the Korean Peninsula.

That deployment, initially presented by the military and the White House as immediate, was actually delayed until after the carrier completed joint exercises with the Australian navy.