Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis addressed the media following a national security meeting at the White House. The meeting, attended by President Trump and Vice President Pence, focused on recent developments on the Korean peninsula.
"We have many military options, and the President wanted to be briefed on each one of them," Mattis stated. He emphasized the United States' capacity to defend itself and its allies, South Korea and Japan, from any potential aggression. "Our commitments among the allies are ironclad," he affirmed.
Mattis warned that any threat against the United States or its territories, including Guam, or its allies would prompt "a massive military response – a response both effective and overwhelming."
He also urged North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to consider the unanimous stance of the United Nations Security Council regarding North Korea's threat. "They remain unanimous in their commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," Mattis noted. However, he clarified that total annihilation is not sought: "We are not looking to the total annihilation of a country – namely, North Korea."
Mattis concluded his statement by reiterating that there are multiple options available for addressing these challenges.