Over the years, former governor Richardson has repeatedly visited the country. Richardson: N. Korea attack 'suicidal'

Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Thursday that a North Korean attack against America would be “suicidal” for the country and that President Barack Obama’s administration needs to have an “ endgame.”

“There’s been a lot of rhetoric [from North Korea] and not a lot of action, … but I think our response has been appropriate: cool, calm and at the same time, putting our military resources ready in case there’s an emergency,” Richardson, who has visited North Korea repeatedly in the past and had dealings with its rulers, said on CNN. “But if they try anything with the United States, it’s suicidal. That’s not going to happen.”


North Korea has threatened to use nuclear weapons this week against America, but analysts strongly doubt such an attack will happen.

( PHOTOS: Inside North Korea)

He said leaders must act to do something to “cool down” the situation, and he advocated for diplomacy.

“Something is needed to cool things down,” said Richardson, who is also a former Democratic presidential candidate. “I think there has to be an endgame to the administration’s policy, and the endgame in my view is diplomacy — some kind of special envoy, some kind of South Korean diplomat.”

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Richardson visited North Korea earlier this year with Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt to discuss the Internet with North Korean leaders.

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