The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff is describing any prospective military option against North Korea as "absolutely horrific."

Shortly after arriving in China Thursday, U.S. Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford said top U.S. military leaders are carrying out U.S. President Donald Trump's instructions to develop credible, viable military options.

Earlier, in a separate interview, senior Trump adviser Steve Bannon appeared to concede that there was no viable military option for North Korea.

Dunford did emphasize the administration was seeking a peaceful solution, but said allowing the North to develop nuclear attack capability against the U.S. was "unimaginable."

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