President Donald Trump has said the US military is “locked and loaded” to deal with North Korea.
His comments on Twitter came as US officials confirmed that they were planning to move ahead with large-scale US-South Korea exercises later this month.
Trump tweeted: “Military solutions are now fully in place, locked and loaded, should North Korea act unwisely. Hopefully Kim Jong Un will find another path.”
North Korea, now finalising plans to launch a salvo of missiles toward Guam, claims the exercises are a rehearsal for war.
The exercises are an annual event, but come as Pyongyang says it is readying a plan to fire off four Hwasong-12 missiles toward the tiny island, which is US territory and a major military hub.
The plan would be sent to leader Kim Jong Un for approval just before or as the US-South Korea drills begin.
Called Ulchi-Freedom Guardian, the exercises are expected to run from 21-31 August and involve tens of thousands of American and South Korean troops on the ground and in the sea and air.
Washington and Seoul say the exercises are defensive in nature and crucial to maintaining a deterrent against North Korean aggression.
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