U.S. 'Won't Launch Strike on N.Korea Without Consulting Allies'

U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser H.R. McMaster on Thursday said Washington will inform its Asian allies and seek their agreement before any strike against North Korea.

In an interview with Japanese broadcaster NHK, McMaster said, "With our allies all the time, we have a very open, transparent relationship, and we're working together, as I think all Japanese people know, at many levels. And of course, you know the very strong, close relationship that President Trump has with Abe. I mean, they're just a phone call away at any moment."

In an interview with YTN, McMaster said a unilateral move by the U.S. to attack North Korea is "unimaginable" and added that Trump would first consult with South Korea before making such a move.

But he warned North Korea against further provocations. "What we have to do first of all is to make sure the North Korean regime knows that any aggression on its part will be met with overwhelming response," he said.