North Korea has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons and in its latest warning has told the United States to take the threat “literally”.
Michael Mullen, a retired United States Navy admiral, has warned about the consequences of the US entering a war with the North Korea, amid growing World War 3 fears.
Speaking to France 24, Mr Mullen said China needed to step in to do more to prevent North Korea from beginning a devastating war.
He said: “One of the things that has clearly happened in North Korea is that Kim Jong-un has accelerated his timeline beyond previous estimates of just about all analysts.
“We need to be concerned that capability is arriving sooner rather than later.
“I’m increasingly concerned that the diplomatic channels, that I think are an absolute priority here, are closing down.
“Unless we see some movement out of Beijing, I worry more and more that the probability goes up that we could end up with a war in North Korea.
“Whatever military action is taken, the worry is that in reaction to the Kim Jong-un could react very badly. I think it has got to go through Beijing to find a solution, it’s not just Beijing’s responsibility, the United States has some as well.”
The retired US army chief also criticised the rhetoric from the US as Mr Trump repeatedly clashes with Kim Jong-un.
Mr Mullen said: “I have worried about the rhetoric from Donald Trump, there’s high risk in this strategy and sometimes high risk can pay off and other times there is a significant downside.
“I am more worried about North Korea than I have been in 15 or 20 years.”
North Korea has been ramping up threats to the US and has increased testing of nuclear weapons in recent months.
The most recent test took place on September 3 at the Punggye-ri Test Site which was so powerful it was registered as a 5.7 magnitude earthquake by the South Korean government. China and the US also registered it as an earthquake at at even-stronger 6.3 magnitude.
Kim Jong-un also issued another warning to the US as a senior diplomat from Pyongyang said warnings of a possible atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean should be taken “literally”.
Mr Trump is set to make a visit to Asia next week in a bid to highlight his campaign to put pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programs.
The US President told reporters on the White House South Lawn: “I’d rather not say but you’ll be surprised.”
China agreed to UN sanctions on the hermit state which would limit countries from importing North Korean crude oil, iron, lead and coal. Mr Trump has called for Beijing to do more to put pressure on North Korea.