World War 3: Trump will fail to STOP North Korea THREAT as summit looms, expert fears

US President Donald Trump last year imposed sanctions on Pyongyang to reduce income for its nuclear programme, but the UN has said the sanctions proved “ineffective”. The pledge for denuclearisation last year between the US and North Korea included dismantling the rogue nation’s only known nuclear testing site and a key missile engine facility. But as Mr Trump’s sanctions appear to be unsuccessful, former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell warned his “biggest concern” is Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un ban the use of ICBMs, which could hit the US, but fail to rule out the use of nuclear weapons across the region surrounding the Korean peninsula.

Michael Morell, a former CIA Deputy Director, told CBS News there is still a nuclear threat from North Korea.

He said: “My biggest concern is that he will cut a deal with Kim on ICBMs.

“Let’s get rid of the ICBMs that threaten the United States and let’s not worry so much about the nuclear weapons that threaten the rest of the region. That’s my biggest concern.”

Mr Morell highlighted on the lack of progress since the first summit in June when Kim and Trump vowed to work towards denuclearisation and build a “lasting and stable” peace regime.

The former CIA boss said: “They have stopped nuclear missile testing. But they have made no move at all towards denuclearisation.

“In fact, we know that they continue to do activities on the ground to advance their programme.

“And sanctions have weakened as other nations have loosened the restrictions because things are looking better. And, most importantly, Kim has a seat on the state.

“So, what the President has to do at the second summit is to incentivise or make clear to Kim he has got to move towards negotiations or he is not going to get another summit.”

US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on North Korea after the country launched a series of nuclear tests and missiles in 2017.

The sanctions were put in place to stop North Korea from funding their nuclear programmes.

But Pyongyang has since demanded Washington lift sanctions and declare an official end to the 1950-53 Korean War in response to its initial, unilateral steps toward denuclearisation.

It was revealed last month that a secret missile HQ was discovered in North Korea, sparking World War 3 fears.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington discovered medium-range Nodong missiles capable of striking South Korea and Japan are being housed at the Sino-ri site in North Korea.

Analyst Victor Cha said: “The Sino-ri missile operating base and the Nodong missiles deployed at this location fit into North Korea’s presumed nuclear military strategy by providing an operational-level nuclear or conventional first-strike capability.”

A UN report also said: “The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes remain intact.

“The panel found that the DPRK is using civilian facilities, including airports for ballistic missile assembly and testing with the goal of effectively preventing ‘decapitation’ strikes.'”

The finding comes a matter of weeks before Kim Jong-un and Donald Trump meet for a second summit.

source: express.co.uk