U.S. will work to 'make sure' it can protect allies over N. Korea threats: White House official

송상호 / 2024-01-27 05:40:20

US-N Korea threat

▲ John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington on Jan. 26, 2024 in this photo released by Reuters. (Yonhap)

US-N Korea threat

U.S. will work to 'make sure' it can protect allies over N. Korea threats: White House official

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 (Yonhap) -- The United States will do what it has to do to "make sure" that it can protect itself and its allies, a White House official said Friday, amid a rise in tensions caused by North Korea's bellicose rhetoric and continued weapons tests.

John Kirby, the National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, made the remarks, responding to a question of whether the U.S. believes Pyongyang actually has the ability to attack the United States.

"We are going to do what we have to do to make sure we can protect the U.S. ... protect our allies and partners," Kirby told a press briefing at the White House.

"The president has devoted more capabilities into the region and has worked really hard with our counterparts in Japan and South Korea, particularly on trilateral cooperation to be able to defend ourselves," he added.

The official also noted the North's unceasing quest for improved weapons capabilities.

"We know that the North Koreans continue to pursue advanced capabilities, including ballistic missile capabilities," he said. "And they want to achieve long-range outcomes."

Addressing a question about the possibility of North Korea's provocative moves affecting the presidential election in the United States, Kirby highlighted the U.S.' vigilance.

"No foreign actors, state or non-state, should interfere in our elections period," he said. "We are going to be as vigilant in this election cycle as we have been in the past about doing what we can do to identify and thwart any attempts for election interference."

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