U.S. Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Tuesday he supports the Trump administration’s diplomatic efforts to try to contain the nuclear threat from North Korea even while the Tennessee Republican distanced himself some from the president’s threat last week of “fire and fury” against North Korea if it launched a nuclear missile at the United States.
“It’s a serious time for our nation,” Corker told the Rotary Club in Cleveland, Tenn. “I know there has been a lot of hot rhetoric – some of which should not have been said, quite honestly. But I really do believe that (Secretary of State Rex) Tillerson is working hard with China and others to do what is necessary to help ease this situation.”
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who last week threatened to fire missiles at the U.S. territory of Guam, backed off of the threat Tuesday and said he will wait to see what the United States does. Corker said the Trump administration has succeeded in gaining unanimous support from the UN security council for tougher sanctions on North Korea, including a ban on coal, iron and lead from the Asian nation.
Corker, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the U.S. must still work to remove any nuclear threat from North Korea. But he conceded that Kim Jong Un likely is to do whatever he can to retain his nuclear capability, limited though that may be.
U.S. Sen. Bob Corker answers questions from reporters after speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Rotary Club of Cleveland at the Museum Center at 5ive Points on Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, in Cleveland, Tenn. Corker took questions from rotarians about current events on topics including North Korea, healthcare and President Donald Trump.“Most people believe that he will not give up his nuclear weapons – ever – because he needs that as a way for survival,” Corker said. “I think Tillerson is doing everything he can to resolve this in a peaceful manner. I do think that the president’s comments, as a last resort, to move to kinetic activity are not hollow statements. At the same time, we need to do everything we can to make sure this is resolved peacefully.”