US within inch of war every day: Panetta

The United States is prepared for “any contingency” when it comes to dealing with North Korea, the Pentagon chief said in an interview with the CNN on Wednesday.

“Unfortunately these days, there’s a hell of a lot that keeps me awake. But that’s one that tops the list,” he added in reference to North Korea.

On Tuesday, Pyongyang warned of taking “necessary retaliatory measures” following a US decision to call off plans to ship thousands of tons of food products to North Korea.

In the statement, the North Korean foreign ministry said that it is no longer bound by a bilateral agreement agreed with the US in February to halt the testing of nuclear weapons and long-range missiles in return for food.

The statement came after the UN Security Council condemned the recent failed rocket launch by North Korea and ordered a tightening of the existing sanctions.

However, Pyongyang rejected the condemnation, saying “nothing can stand in the way of (North Korea’s) space development for peaceful purposes.”

Pyongyang had said the rocket launch was aimed at putting a satellite into orbit for peaceful research objectives, marking the centenary of the birth of its founding leader Kim Il-Sung.

HMV/HJL/IS

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