US to keep ‘all options’ on table in dealing with North Korea

US Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley smiles as she speaks to the media after taking part in the UN Security Council consultations on North Korea's recent missile launches on March 8, 2017 at United Nations headquarters in New York. (Photos by AFP)

The United States defends deployment of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to South Korea, asserting that North Korea’s attitude amounts to “irresponsible arrogance.”

United States Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley made the remarks at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, alongside her counterparts from Japan and South Korea.

She further ruled out holding talks with Pyongyang calling North Korean leader Kim Jong-un irrational.

"We are not dealing with a rational person," she said, adding that the administration of US President Donald Trump could reconsider the US stance towards North Korea and "all options are on the table."

"We are making those decisions now and we will act accordingly."

Nikki Haley (C) speaks to the media next to Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Ambassador Koro Bessho, (L) and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations Ambassador Cho Tae-yul, after taking part in the UN Security Council consultations on North Korea's recent missile launches on March 8, 2017 at United Nations headquarters in New York.

Washington said Tuesday that it has begun deployment of its THAAD missile system to South Korea as North Korea announced that its latest missile tests were practice for attacking US military bases in Japan.

On Monday, Pyongyang launched four missiles, three of which according to Tokyo went down in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

"It is an unbelievable, irresponsible arrogance that we are seeing coming out of Kim Jong-un at this time," Haley said.

She also rebuffed China’s suggestion for "dual suspension" of US and South Korea military drills.

"We have to see some sort of positive action taken by North Korea before we can ever take them seriously."

Despite sanctions and other forms of international pressure, Pyongyang declared itself a nuclear power in 2005 and has pledged to strengthen its military capability to protect itself from the threat posed by the presence of US forces in the region.

The North Korean leader also accuses the US of plotting with regional allies to topple his government.