US must strike deal with North Korea to stop WW3 but ‘nobody knows what Kim wants’ – Express.co.uk

But any diplomatic agreement seems unlikely as no one knows what hermit leader Kim Jong-un actually wants, Bill Richardson said.

North Korea's defiance to carry out missile tests should be of grave concern to the whole world, Mr Richardson chillingly warned.

The United States and South Korea today launched a joint air force military exercise in response to the reclusive nationals provocations over recent weeks.

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He doesnt talk to anybody, he just conducts a lot of missile tests

Bill Richardson

The US says it is also working on a range of options with China, Pyongyangs sole ally, to find a solution to end the current crisis.

However, even with Americas ability to align itself with the Chinese, a former US diplomat warns it may not be enough to stop North Koreas crackpot leader.

Speaking on Radio 4 on Monday, Bill Richardson said: China is moving in the direction of pressuring North Korea a lot more than it has in the past and it may make a small difference.

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I believe its going to take a deal between the United States and North Korea to bring the missile tests to a standstill, perhaps a moratorium involving South Korea, Japan.

A multi-party deal that in exchange for a moratorium, North Korea might get some energy assistance, maybe some lifting of sanctions, some humanitarian assistance.

Mr Richardson, who has visited the reclusive nation eight times and negotiated prisoner release talks, warned of the risks dealing with the unpredictable Kim Jong-un.

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You dont know what he wants, he continued. He doesnt talk to anybody, he just conducts a lot of missile tests, nuclear weapons tests.

So its a very uncertain, a very unstable situation in the Korean peninsula that should be a concern for the entire international community.

North Koreahas held a series of large-scale parades in the past week, including a huge celebration and military ceremony on Saturday.

And on Sunday, the secretive state carried its latest missile test which failed after an explosion was heard seconds after launch.

Meanwhile, about 1,000 US airmen and fighter jets partnered with the South Korean Air Force in a joint training exercise on Monday, according to Pacific Command.

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Codenamed Max Thunder, the allies undertook the military exercise in an effort to ensure theyre ready to combat the Norths provocations.

Lt. Gen. Thomas W. Bergeson, 7th Air Force commander, said: Exercise Max Thunder serves as an invaluable opportunity for US and South Korean forces to train together shoulder-to-shoulder and sharpen tactical skills vital to the defence and security of the Korean Peninsula.

This exercise will rigorously test our aerial combat capability and highlights the ironclad commitment between the U.S. and (South Korea), and the multifaceted capabilities we possess in this theatre.

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US must strike deal with North Korea to stop WW3 but 'nobody knows what Kim wants' - Express.co.uk