North Korea has ramped up its nuclear and missile development over the past few months, sparking fears of World War 3 with its continued threats on the United States.
Kim Jong-un warned a “nuclear button is always on my desk” as he threatened the US during his New Year’s address in Pyongyang.
He said: “The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, and a nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat.”
Former US defence secretary Ash Carter said he does not think tensions between the two states are “deflating”. But he said the US is not on the brink of a war with North Korea.
Mr Carter said the possibility that America could be at war with North Korea must be pursued and prepared for.
Speaking to CNN, Mr Carter said: “I have some experience for what has worked and what has not worked in the past in that regard.
“But in the meantime, and because that may not work, deterrence and defence are the first duties that I would have where I was still secretary of defence.
“So you do see these exercises which are troops are preparing and planning. We train against a number of contingencies but we certainly have to train against the North Korean contingency.”
Mr Carter said the US must put “deterrence and defence” first. He said: “I think if it’s important if there is a real prospect of something going wrong then we need to be ready.”
In an effort to stop the rogue nation, the United Nations Security Council imposed tough new sanctions on North Korea after its continued missile testing.
The resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 percent of refined petroleum product exports to North Korea.
Following the UN vote, Donald Trump wrote on Twitter: “The United Nations Security Council just voted 15-0 in favour of additional Sanctions on North Korea. The World wants Peace, not Death!”
The North Korea foreign ministry responded to the UN sanctions and branded them an “act of war”.