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The United States is not preparing to strike North Korea over its nuclear ballistic missile programs, the U.S. special envoy to the reclusive nation said Thursday in an apparent attempt to reassure the world following President Trump's bellicose words this week.

In his State of the Union address Tuesday night, Trump referred to the "ominous nature" and "depraved character" of leader Kim Jong Un's  regime. That prompted worries in Asia and elsewhere that the U.S. might attempt a pre-emptive strike that could endanger millions of lives on the Korean Peninsula.

Envoy Joseph Yun said U.S. policy is to apply diplomatic and economic pressure on Kim to abandon his weapons programs, and leave the door open for negotiations while keeping all options open. He said the goal for dialogue should be the denuclearization of North Korea.

A military strike is included, but “I don’t believe we are close to it,” Yun told reporters in Tokyo after a conference about North Korea held by a private think tank.

More: State of the Union fact check: North Korea poses a nuclear threat to the U.S. homeland

More: North Korean flag flies in South before Olympics open

In his speech, Trump said the U.S. is using sanctions to force North Korea to end its nuclear weapons program. He also said that concessions “only invite aggression.”

“North Korea's reckless pursuit of nuclear missiles could very soon threaten our homeland. We are waging a campaign of maximum pressure to prevent that from happening," Trump said.

“Past experience has taught us that complacency and concessions only invite aggression and provocation. I will not repeat the mistakes of past administrations that got us into this dangerous position," he added.

"We need only look at the depraved character of the North Korean regime to understand the nature of the nuclear threat it could pose to America and our allies."

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Yun said he welcomed dialogue between North and South Korea, which recently agreed to joint participation in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, this month. The two countries will march in the opening ceremony behind the same flag, and the women’s ice hockey team will be the first with players from both countries.

The dialogue prompted the U.S. and South Korea to delay their regular joint military exercises — which North Korea sees as a rehearsal for invasion — during the Winter Games.

Contributing: The Associated Press

More: North Korea scales back annual military exercises: report

More: North and South Korea agree: Neither wants defections during Olympic Games

 

 

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