Trump Described North Korean Leader's Decision on Guam as 'Wise'

The President of the United States reacted to reports from North Korea regarding the leader's decision to delay the plan to 'attack Guam,' stating that this decision was 'wise.' In recent days, the intensity of verbal tensions between the two countries has decreased. Last week, Donald Trump warned North Korea that it would face 'fire and fury' from the United States and also stated that his country's weapons were ready to be fired at North Korea. These warnings came after North Korea conducted successful intercontinental missile tests, with estimates suggesting that the new missile could reach U.S. territory. Following this, the Security Council imposed severe sanctions against Pyongyang. Amid Trump's warnings, the North Korean military announced that it was preparing a plan aimed at launching several long-range ballistic missiles at U.S. bases on the island of Guam. In mid-August - three days ago - this plan was presented to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and the news was released by the official North Korean news agency that Kim has decided not to launch missiles toward Guam for the time being and to 'observe Washington's behavior for a short while longer.' In the days leading up to this statement - which described the delay of the attack plan - senior U.S. officials reiterated the priority of diplomacy and increased sanctions regarding North Korea. They stated that although the nuclear and military threat from North Korea has increased, it is not imminent. Donald Trump said, 'Kim Jong-un has made a prudent and wise decision.' The U.S. President stated that another decision would have been 'both catastrophic and unacceptable.' South Korea's emphasis on a diplomatic solution has been reiterated by government officials, who have expressed concern over the escalation of verbal tensions in recent days and have repeatedly indicated their desire for a solution without military conflict. On the morning of August 26, the South Korean state news agency reported that 'as it seems the U.S. and North Korea are distancing themselves from confrontational rhetoric,' Seoul and Washington will cooperate more to find a diplomatic solution. Katina Adams, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated that the U.S. continues to work with its 'close friend and ally,' South Korea, to find a diplomatic solution. The U.S. State Department also reiterated that the country is prepared to defend its allies in the region. In this context, U.S. officials say that the risk of conflict with North Korea has increased but is not imminent. The South Korean President stated that North Korea's nuclear ambitions must be contained peacefully. Mattis warned that a missile launch by North Korea would mean the start of war. North Korea has 'delayed' the missile launch toward Guam; the U.S. is 'ready for negotiations.'