The top U.S. military official says North Korea does not appear to be
preparing to launch a military strike, despite recent threatening
language from Pyongyang as the United Nations prepares to impose new
sanctions.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Brussels Thursday that the latest U.S. intelligence has not indicated that North Korea is mobilizing troops and equipment. But Gates said the unpredictable nature of the North Korean government makes it impossible to dismiss the threats.
Earlier this week, North Korean state media said the reclusive communist country will use its nuclear weapons to defend itself and as an offense against those who seek to attack the country.
North Korea claims that its recent bellicose behavior is a response to hostile U.S. policies. But the U.S. envoy for North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, this week reiterated that the United States has no intention of invading North Korea or using force to change its government.
A Russian military source told the Interfax news agency Wednesday that Russia has information that North Korea plans to launch a ballistic missile, but does not know the precise timing of the launch.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote soon on a resolution that would expand sanctions against North Korea for its recent underground nuclear test, which Pyongyang followed with a series of short-range missile tests.
The draft resolution condemns North Korea's tests as a violation of previous U.N. resolutions and imposes additional sanctions, including cargo inspections, a total arms embargo, and stronger financial sanctions. China reportedly resisted making the cargo provision mandatory.
The text is the product of weeks of intensive negotiations among the five permanent council members, as well as non-permanent member Japan and concerned neighbor South Korea.
U.S. officials have indicated that Washington may also impose unilateral financial sanctions against North Korea.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told reporters in Brussels Thursday that the latest U.S. intelligence has not indicated that North Korea is mobilizing troops and equipment. But Gates said the unpredictable nature of the North Korean government makes it impossible to dismiss the threats.
Earlier this week, North Korean state media said the reclusive communist country will use its nuclear weapons to defend itself and as an offense against those who seek to attack the country.
North Korea claims that its recent bellicose behavior is a response to hostile U.S. policies. But the U.S. envoy for North Korea, Stephen Bosworth, this week reiterated that the United States has no intention of invading North Korea or using force to change its government.
A Russian military source told the Interfax news agency Wednesday that Russia has information that North Korea plans to launch a ballistic missile, but does not know the precise timing of the launch.
The U.N. Security Council is expected to vote soon on a resolution that would expand sanctions against North Korea for its recent underground nuclear test, which Pyongyang followed with a series of short-range missile tests.
The draft resolution condemns North Korea's tests as a violation of previous U.N. resolutions and imposes additional sanctions, including cargo inspections, a total arms embargo, and stronger financial sanctions. China reportedly resisted making the cargo provision mandatory.
The text is the product of weeks of intensive negotiations among the five permanent council members, as well as non-permanent member Japan and concerned neighbor South Korea.
U.S. officials have indicated that Washington may also impose unilateral financial sanctions against North Korea.