United States will never accept a North Korea with nuclear weapons

John Kerry

John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States, said Washington would never accept that the secretive and isolated state of North Korea from becoming a nuclear power.

Kerry spoke to reporters after a conversation with the president of South Korea, Park Geun-hye, and leaders of the contingent of 28,000 U.S. troops deployed there. He also said the United States will defend their allies in the region if necessary.

“The rhetoric we are hearing from North Korea is simply unacceptable from any parameter,” Kerry said while adding: “We are all united in the fact that North Korea will not be accepted as a nuclear power.”

Kerry’s visit coincides with preparations for the anniversary of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung, which could be used as a pretext for a military show of force.