Haley: U.S. prepared to use military force against N. Korea if necessary

NEW YORK, July 5 (Yonhap) -- The United States will use military force against North Korea if necessary, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Wednesday, warning that the North's test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile is "quickly closing off" chances of a diplomatic solution.

"Make no mistake. North Korea's launch of an ICBM is clear and sharp military escalation. The North Korean regime openly states that its missiles are intended to deliver nuclear weapons to strike cities in the United States, South Korea and Japan, and now has greater capacity to do so," Amb. Nikki Haley said during a U.N. Security Council meeting.

"Their actions are quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution. The United States is prepared to use the full range of our capabilities to defend ourselves and our allies. One of our capabilities lies with our considerable military forces. We will use them if we must. But we prefer not to have to go in that direction," she said.

Haley also warned that countries should choose whether to do business with the North or the U.S.

"There are countries that are allowing, even encouraging trade with North Korea in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Such countries would also like to continue their trade arrangements with the United States. That's not going to happen," she said.

Haley also said the U.S. will propose a new Security Council sanctions resolution on the North.

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