We are prepared militarily: Tillerson

The U.S. has warned North Korea that it was prepared to meet any eventuality and will take “immediate specific actions” if Pyongyang launched a missile attack against it or its allies.

The U.S.’ strong assertion comes days after President Donald Trump pledged to answer further aggression from North Korea with “fire and fury.”

Speaking at a news conference jointly addressed by U.S. Defence Secretary James Mattis, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the country was prepared to meet any eventuality from the North Koreans, and sought to make it clear that use of the force was not U.S.’ “preferred pathway.”

“We are prepared, we are prepared militarily, we are prepared with our allies to respond, if that is necessary. That [military] is not our preferred pathway. That’s been made clear as well,” Mr. Tillerson said.