What can US do to eliminate North Korea nuke threat?

This transcript is automatically generated

So North Korea now thumbing its nose at the United States in the world community.

China Russia South Korea Japan they conducted yet another nuclear test overnight this time that rogue regime.

Detonating a miniaturized.

Nuclear device.

Just the -- you would put on top -- be ballistic missile.

Ambassador John Bolton former -- United Nations Fox's contributor answer.

Good morning each year there is a lot to go -- just when it connect to dots quickly.

There was a missile test in December you have the smaller test underground overnight the first was perceived to be an earthquake now we know according to South Korean officials.

It is something very different what are you to make of this now mr.

ambassador.

Well as you say this is the third North Korean nuclear -- they're proceeding -- a very systematic way coupled with these tests of ballistic missiles.

Obviously to develop a nuclear warhead that their missiles can carry anywhere on earth and that we'd seen this.

That program in train for twenty years.

And this third test is just another piece of evidence sadly of the failure of America's efforts through three administrations.

The deal effectively with.

North Koreans usually wonder why that is and I just wanted to react to this North Korea say it's the first response to perceived US threats against the country.

A lot of that is laced with rhetoric and also talked about second and third measures of greater intensity.

If the United States maintains that.

Stated hostility.

What does that mean.

Well -- off from from a standard North Korean phrase book blaming us for their nuclear weapons program -- our next they'll be threatening to unleash a sea of fire across the Korean Peninsula.

If we do anything about it and that the real issue is whether we're gonna take this seriously enough to do the only thing.

That really can eliminate this threat and that's to work with China and others in the region.

It took to get the Korean Peninsula reunified as long as the North Korean regime insists this nuclear threat will.

Let me see him back to -- -- -- moment here just -- -- sure viewers where this happened northern part of the country here are really remote region this time of the year -- -- it is winner and that part of the Korean Peninsula.

We can advance it one time because you mentioned China.

There are at least six nations as a part of this story that's been ongoing for years Russia is one.

Japan has won South Korean of course China.

And -- the United States.

You say it is critical mr.

ambassador.

To understand what China's position is on this now they've condemned it but what more have we learned from Beijing.

Well that the question is whether China is willing to exert the influence it alone has.

To change the regime or at least the change their policy China supplies 90% or more of North Korea's energy a substantial amount of food and other humanitarian assistance.

That regime wouldn't continue to exist without China's support.

China says it doesn't want North Korea to have nuclear weapons but frankly for twenty years it's failed to do what it alone could do to stop that and I think the idea that we're gonna negotiate with North Korea over this has been a delusion for a long time one more question on this you say it's important understand -- -- plutonium.

Or uranium what is the difference.

Well the north Koreans have been using plutonium we believe in their first to test reprocessed from their young beyond reactor many believe they're running out of plutonium but.

They've also had a substantial uranium enrichment program perhaps for as long as ten years.

Leaks of gases from this test show it was uranium base that will demonstrate that they have.

-- they have enriched uranium to weapons grade levels and and successfully tested that that would be a big breakthrough with potential implications for Iran as well.

-- one question here on the Ben Ghazi and it's.

This came out of one of the hearings at the end of last week about the amount -- contact or lack there of the came from the White House.

And specifically the president after 5:30 in the evening when the consulate was under attack.

What questions do you need answered.

What is that story go from here it if it goes anywhere mr.

ambassador.

Well I I think -- the testimony last week by secretary of defense Panetta and chairman density.

Revealed a vacuum of leadership at the top of the Obama administration that I found not only unprecedented but shocking and very very disturbing.

That the president was intimately involved in worrying about these Americans under attack worried about other Americans elsewhere in the Middle East and North Africa.

Possibly being under attack the lack of contact between.

The secretary of defense and the secretary of state I mean but this is this is a we face -- threat in that region the president's nowhere close to adequately dealing with that I hope he talks about.

It tonight he certainly didn't -- it would inaugural address would you expect that.

I'm not counting on it I don't think the president pays adequate attention to international affairs I suppose he'll say something -- North Korea -- he doesn't have any choice John Bolton thank you.

Talking thank you and we have.

Watch Live

What can US do to eliminate North Korea nuke threat?

Details

Clips

Latest World

Three more arrested in London terror attack

US claims Iran hacked energy forms

Retired USS Cole commander on counterterrorism policy

Is threat from global terror winding down or changing?

New information about the London terror suspects

Two more suspects arrested in London terror attack

President comments on what happened in Benghazi

Two more suspects arrested in London terror attack

Terror expert: Brutal London attack not random act

British PM David Cameron vows to never give in to terror

Boehner: WH doesn't like Benghazi investigation is ongoing

Is the Obama administration not pursuing Benghazi clues?

Transcript

Recommended