Clinton: US needs new approach for N. Korea

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Hillary Clinton said Friday it was time for a “rethinking” of America’s strategy for North Korea after the regime’s latest test of a nuclear weapon. Donald Trump’s campaign chief, meanwhile, refused to outline the Republican presidential candidate’s plans for defusing tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

Speaking after meeting with a bipartisan group of national security experts in New York, the former secretary of state said she would seek to impose tougher sanctions on the communist nation. She also argued the latest test provides an opening to pressure China, which has been tepid in its response to North Korea’s nuclear ambitions.

“I think we have an opening here that we haven’t had for the last several years that I intend to do everything I can to take advantage of,” Clinton said.

Clinton spoke hours after Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, pressed repeatedly on Trump’s plans for the region, said only, “He wouldn’t do what’s being done now.”

“He’s not going to reveal all of his plans, and he’s made that very clear. And maybe someone can ask him in a debate,” Conway told “CBS This Morning.” “But the fact is that this entire world would be put on notice that there’s a strong leader in the White House.”

President Barack Obama condemned the test and said the U.S. would never accept the country as a nuclear power.

In an afternoon speech to a group of conservative activists, Trump used the North Korean development to attack Clinton, describing the situation as “one more massive failure from a failed secretary of state.” He did not say whether he had a plan to address North Korea’s claim the test will allow it to build an array of stronger, smaller and lighter nuclear weapons.

Trump also suggested Clinton and others are wrong to outline their national security policies, because doing so could help the nation’s enemies. “Maybe we shouldn’t be so honest when it comes to military strategy,” he said.