The White House has given North Korea an ultimatum to immediately resolve its nuclear issue or face a tougher U.S. policy.
 
In a media briefing on Tuesday for the upcoming U.S.-China summit, a high-ranking White House official said that “the clock has now run out” for the North.
 
The official said North Korea is an urgent matter of interest for both U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. administration, adding every option to resolve the North’s nuclear program is on the table.
 
The official emphasized China’s role in resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, saying China still holds strong economic leverage over North Korea, although its political influence over the communist ally may have dwindled.
 
Asked what the U.S. will do if Beijing refuses to help resolve the North Korean issue even at the request of Trump, the official said it will be left to the U.S. president to deal with.
 
The official also criticized China for its retaliations against South Korea over the scheduled deployment of U.S. THAAD antimissile system, saying it is puzzling and even shocking for China to punish a neighboring country for its self-defense measure.
 
Calling South Korea a responsible, friendly and economically vibrant democracy, the official said the U.S. will safeguard its allies and its land against any threat including from North Korea, emphasizing Washington will not budge on its defense commitment to South Korea. 

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