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Connect the World
Emergency meeting by the U.N. Security Council; Military options being studied by U.S.; North Korea a global threat says IAEA; Many countries asking for stronger sanctions on North Korea; President Trump and President Moon Jae in talks on the phone; South Korea conducts live fire drills; Duchess of Cambridge pregnant with third child; Angela Merkel opposes Turkey joining E.U.; Letter from a Korean War veteran to Kim Jong- un. Aired at 11-12 ET
Aired September 04, 2017 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[11:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
PAULA HANCOCKS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: -- Koreans from their side. The defense ministry are saying that they hope that U.S. and South
Korea can agree on additional military strategic assets coming to the region from U.S. military assets whether or not this is aircraft carriers,
whether it's bombers. We've seen in the past the show of force with the U.S. and South Korea side by side. So that is certainly something that
South Korea is hoping for as well.
But we've heard from the intelligence agencies here --
HANNAH VAUGHAN JONES, CNN ANCHOR: Paula, I have to interrupt you. My apologies for interrupting you right now, but we are going to go live back
to the U.N. Security Council and hear from the Russian ambassador to the U.N.
(BEGIN LIVE VIDEO)
VITALY CHURKIN, RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): --nuclear missile that Pyongyang has recently gained dangerous momentum. We are
deeply troubled by the testing that was announced by Pyongyang officials, the testing of a thermal nuclear explosive device for an intercontinental
ballistic missile. There is no doubt that presently we are experiencing one of the gravest and most dramatic stages of development on the Korean
Peninsula.
It is no exaggeration to state that peace in the region is in serious jeopardy and the threat of this conflict morphing into a hot stage looms
larger than ever before. The latest blatant display of disregard by North Korea of the relevant Security Council resolutions and the norms of
international law warrants the both vehement condemnation.
We cannot but regret the fact that the DPRK leadership through its action to undermine the global nonproliferation regime is posing a grave threat to
peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and at the global level. Pursuit of such a policy is fraught with serious repercussions for the DPRK
itself. At the same time, it is evident to us that military solutions cannot settle the issues plaguing the North Korean Peninsula.
Given the unfolding situation, there is an urgent need to maintain a cool head, to refrain from any action that can further escalate tensions. We
reaffirm the need for a comprehensive and full compliance by all stakeholders with the relevant Security Council statements and resolutions
including the recent resolution 2371 adopted by consensus.
Many today delved into the history of attempts to halt the DPRK nuclear and ballistic program. This excurses into history only serves as evidence of
the fact that we failed to resolve this issue through Security Council resolutions which were only geared towards leveraging sanctions mechanisms.
We call upon all stakeholders to immediately return to dialogue and negotiations as that is the sole way to comprehensively settle the issues
besetting the Korean Peninsula including nuclear issues.
We reaffirm our willingness to engage in concerted efforts along these lines including the context of implementation of the Ruso-Chinese roadmap.
Mr. President, the Russian federation calls for the international community not to yield to emotions to act in a calm and balanced way. Once again we
stress that a comprehensive settlement to the nuclear and other issues plaguing the Korean Peninsula can be arrived at solely through political
diplomatic channels including by leveraging the mediation efforts of the United Nations secretary general. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thank the representative of the Russian federation for his statement. I give the floor to the representative (INAUDIBLE).
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translation): Thank you very much, president.
(END LIVE VIDEO)
JONES: You are watching "Connect the World" on CNN and we are monitoring all of the discussions, the dialogue, speeches coming out of the U.N.
Security Council. Right now, CNN has correspondents and experts around the world covering every aspects of the North Korea nuclear threat. Richard
Roth joins us from the United Nations where you can see that emergency session is underway and we are also monitoring that session as we have been
doing for the
[11:05:00] last hour, as well and we will take you back as soon as the representative of South Korea is speaking. Paula Hancocks is also in South
Korea for us. She's in the capital. So, Richard, I want to come to you first. We've heard from the United States, we've heard from China and
Russia. China and Russia seemingly saying more of the same, more dialogue whereas the United States is saying what we've seen for the past 24 years
has simply not worked.
RICHARD ROTH, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, the divisions on display. There is unanimity on resolutions when it finally comes to it after a
nuclear test or ballistic missile launch but it remains to be seen as they say how China will support any new resolutions and enforce them. This is
the ongoing theme. Nikki Haley is saying enough is enough and she used some rather stark undiplomatic language in regards to what she thinks Kim Jong-
un is looking for.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: We must now adopt the strongest possible measures. Kim Jong-un's action cannot be seen as defensive. He
wants to be acknowledged as a nuclear power. But being a nuclear power is not about using those terrible weapons to threaten others. Nuclear powers
understand their responsibilities. Kim Jong-un shows no such understanding. His abusive use of missiles and his nuclear threats show that he is begging
for war. War is never something the United States wants. We don't want it now but our country's patience is not unlimited.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROTH: Other members of the Security Council such as Bolivia and Russia saying it's time for cooler heads. We've seen this upsurge in rhetoric
after North Korea dramatic actions and then there is a diminishing and then it comes back up again. But there are reports, as we know, of North Korea
maybe doing some other significant action. There will not be any action today on a resolution regarding new sanctions. There are options available.
The U.K. ambassador saying they are working that's why you're seeing this reaction from North Korea opposing sanctions and other actions. Back to
you.
JONES: Yes. The problem lies of course there Richard, of course with the United States saying that our patience is not unlimited whereas you've got
Russia and China on the other hands calling for calm and a rational and not an emotional response. The Russian ambassador did just say in the last few
minutes peace in the region is in serious jeopardy. They are all singing from the same hymn sheet on that at least.
ROTH: That's correct but Russia and China want a freeze for freeze proposal where North Korea freezes its nuclear program as the U.S. and
South Korea announce they're halting significant military exercises. The U.S. ambassador Nikki Haley said at the table that proposal is an insult.
JONES: Richard, thank you. Thanks very much. Richard Roth monitoring the situation at the United Nations for us. We are awaiting the South Korean
response in the Security Council and in the meantime while we await to hear from the South Korean ambassador let's go over to Paula Hancocks who's live
in Seoul for us now. Paula, what are we expecting to hear from the South Korean ambassador?
HANCOCKS: Well, I think we'll hear the strong condemnation, Hannah, that we've heard from the other representatives and ambassador to the United
Nations. We've heard from the (INAUDIBLE) just about 24 hours ago now that sanctions and pressure is the way forward. They understand the sanction of
pressure is the best way to try and get North Korea back to the negotiating table.
So certainly there will be that kind of talk South Korea wanting China to fully implement those sanctions. Bear in mind, the sanctions that we've
most recently seen pass in the Security Council really wouldn't have had a chance to bite yet and to be fully implemented. So, it still will be
several months before we can see whether or not that is an immediate reaction to that and whether that is stopping the North Korean regime f
further money.
But there is no doubt there will be condemnation from South Korea. They will be wanting to be seen as agreeing with the United States, with Japan,
the three countries wanting to show that they do agree with what should be done when it comes to North Korea. Of course, we have seen some cracks in
the agreement between those three nations, certainly something that North Korea appears to been exploiting as well.
This perception that there is some distance between the U.S. and South Korea when it comes to diplomacy, when it comes to the presidents for
example, has been mentioned on KCNA state-run media. They have mentioned that all is not well with that friendship so certainly one person or at
least one country doing well out of this perceived rift between the two countries of U.S. and South Korea. That's North Korea, they will always
welcome ridges in between the alliances that are trying to fight against North Korea, Hannah.
JONES: And we wait
[11:10:00] of course, Paula, to hear perhaps a read out from the phone call that has just in the last hour have so taken place between President Trump
and President Moon as well. Paula Hancocks, thank you very much.
Now U.S. President Trump is threatening to pressure North Korea by cracking down on countries that do business with Pyongyang. But one analyst says
it's not even remotely plausible. The president's rhetoric is directly aimed just across the yellow river from North Korea and despite repeated
rounds of U.N. sanctions, goods continue to flow across that bridge into China every single day. Andrew Stevens has more from the BRICS Summit in
Xiamen, China.
ANDREW STEVENS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hannah, China has reacted angrily to this latest plea from Donald Trump where he says that he's considering
ending all trade with any country that does business with North Korea and that is specifically is aimed at China which accounts to something like 90
percent of all international trade of North Korea. Well China says it's unacceptable and unfair to be targeted for sanctions when it's actually
working for a peaceful resolution on the Korean Peninsula.
It says it wants to see a denuclearization and dialogue is the best way to achieve that -- dialogue and consultation. It also says it has the respect
of the international community for the action that it's taken so far. China's ministry of foreign affairs also said today that it had sent a
strong representation to North Korea condemning it for its latest nuclear test.
And this comes as the BRICS countries, the five countries in the BRICS grouping prepare to release and communique also strongly condemning the
North Korean action. What we know is that communique will include a call for dialogue to resolve this crisis. Meanwhile, South Korea and Japan are
pushing for more sanctions. They want the United Nations Security Council to increase the pressure on North Korea through sanctions, which comes back
to China. China obviously a key player in all this.
It has the power to increase the sanctions. The question is, is it prepared to. At this stage, it hasn't given any indication that it is but we'll just
have to wait to see what the strategic feeling is in China whether it can actually increase tensions without creating chaos and his neighboring North
Korea. Hannah.
JONES: Andrew Stevens there. Thank you very much indeed. Well along with an economic response, the U.S. and its allies are weighing their military
options of course. For now, Washington is focusing on beefing up the defenses of North Korea's neighbors. South Korea says the U.S. is planning
to strengthen its military presence in the region bringing in more bombers and aircraft carriers. And the Japanese prime minister for Tokyo will work
with the United States to increase its missile defense systems. The (INAUDIBLE) system.
Joining me now, Martin Navias, a defense analyst at Kings College London and also of Nuclear Weapons and British Strategic Planning. Martin let's
talk about the military options on the table here. The head of the IAEA, the nuclear watchdog has said that this is -- we're moving into a new realm
of North Korean strength as far as its nuclear program is concerned. Do you think that this is a different global threat that we've before?
MARTIN NAVIAS, DEFENSE ANALYST, KINGS COLLEGE LONDON: Yes. This is a really serious crisis. I might be stating it obviously but I think the
reason it is a serious crisis because it is underpinned a number of fallacies. The first fallacy is that China will solve this problem, they
will not. Secondly, that sanctions will resolve but sanctions cannot change North Korean behavior. Third, the question is whether Kim Jong-un is
deterrible (ph). That's far from clear and (INAUDIBLE) war is unthinkable and I don't think it is.
JONES: The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Nikki Haley, has just said in the last hour that Kim Jong-un, the North Korean leader is effectively, quote,
begging for war. Do you think that is true? What does he want out of this?
NAVIAS: Begging for war is a characterization I don't know if I would go along with. I'm not sure if he wants war. The question is, is he reckless?
Will he be reckless in a crisis? And so far, North Korean behavior and Kim Jong-un's behavior in particular would suggest that he is prepared to run
risks. And if you have a competitor, an opponent who has thermo nuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missiles and he's prepared to run risks in
a crisis that is a very serious situation.
And I don't believe that an expanding thermal nuclear arsenal capable of targeting United States' largest cities in the next few years is tolerable
to the United States and therefore the United States is going to have to do something about it.
JONES: The U.N. is talking at the moment, seeing if they can come up with any sort of diplomatic solutions to this crisis, but in the meantime, as
we've just been hearing, there's been a big military buildup around the Korean Peninsula at the moment -- South Korea, Japan, the United States,
obviously North Korea as well. What does that mean aside from the obvious
[11:15:00] that if you got people pointing missiles at each other then that's not a good thing? But what does it mean to have over such a small
space so much international presence?
NAVIAS: Well there are two issues here. One is optics of the situation. The United States wants to show that it is prepared to back and bolster its
allies. In the 1950's, war broke out when it was unclear whether the United States would defend South Korea. United States is not going to make that
mistake.
But it came to war, I don't believe adding troops and assets on to the Korean Peninsula will change anything. The United States can move assets
near the Korean Peninsula from aircraft carriers, from bombers based in the United States. It can do that pretty rapidly and it will do that if it
decides at some point in time that it cannot live with Kim Jong-un's nuclear ICBM.
JONES: Jim Mattis, the U.S. Defense Secretary has said this, the alliance of nations against North Korea is ironclad. Is that realistic?
NAVIAS: Well, the alliance is not the most important thing here. The basic one thing is what the United States decides is within its own interest. I
believe that over the next few months and years we're going to see a growing division between South Korea on the one hand and the United States
on the other. Until now they have been together, unified, but the United States will take its own interest into consideration if it decides to
escalate.
JONES: Yes. So we wait to see what President Trump means when he says we will see when asked whether he would actually strike on North Korea. Sir
Martin, thank you very much for joining us. We appreciate your analysis as always.
Still to come on "Connect the World," gone global, a grim statement from the world's nuclear watch dog chief on the North Korean threats. More on
what he told CNN, next.
And later, dreamers denied. President Trump is expected to end a program that has let thousands of undocumented immigrants into the United States
and live their lives in the open.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: Welcome back. You're watching CNN and this is "Connect the World." I'm Hannah Vaughan Jones live for you in London. A global threat, that is
the stark assessment of the man running the world's nuclear watchdog when CNN spoke to him earlier about North Korea. Yukiya Amano said the danger
posed by Pyongyang's arms program is growing.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has not confirmed that this weekend's test was indeed a hydrogen bomb but it says the threat from North
Korea now combines nuclear weapons and missiles. Well for more on those somewhat somber comments from the IAEA chief, international diplomatic
editor Nic Robertson joins me now from Vienna in Austria. Nic, somber analysis of the problem but any solutions offered?
[11:20:00] NIC ROBERTSON, CNN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC EDITOR: Well, Yukiya Amano does have some solutions in mind if the IAEA is able to get
involve, if there is an agreement that would allow their inspectors to go into the country. But really where they're at right now is a monitoring and
watching role, one that he is increasingly worried about because he believes that the threat has now gone from being a regional threat to a
global threat.
That when North Korea says it's going to do something he believes that they actually do it and they're making rapid progress towards what they say
they're trying to achieve. But I began by asking him about this particular test and he said it was the biggest that they've seen so far, the biggest
yield.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
YUKIYA AMANO, DIRECTOR GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY: The yield must be much bigger than the previous one. North Korea say that it is
a hydrogen bomb and we cannot determine but because of the dimension of the earthquake, it is for sure that the yield is much bigger than the previous
ones.
ROBERTSON: Is it possible to tell if it's a hydrogen bomb, if they're telling the truth?
AMANO: We don't have the capacity to determine whether it was a hydrogen bomb or not. Some analysis by other organizations is going but it is
difficult. In light of what the experience of the IAEA following the nuclear programs of the North Korea, North Korea generally does what it
says it is going to do. Now, it is prudent of what's not to suppose that there has been quite a significant progress.
ROBERTSON: In your opinion has North Korea made significant progress that it can now miniaturize the nuclear weapon to put it on an ICBM?
AMANO: Again, it is difficult to say with certainty but as I said, North Korea generally does what it said is going to do and that applies to
militarization and other issues.
ROBERTSON: In the timeframe that they've been doing these tests and everything, the progression of the tests that you've seen, if they haven't
achieved it now, how long before they achieve it?
AMANO: The interval of test of the latest one and the previous one is very short. And the yield is much bigger this time compared to that from last
one. So, it is safe to suppose that North Korea is making a rapid risk (ph).
ROBERTSON: Is it possible to say or is it right now to say that in fact North Korea is now a nuclear armed nation capable of threatening the world?
AMANO: North Korea is not a nuclear weapon state under the treaty, but it is clear that North Korea has some other nuclear weapons, nuclear explosive
devices and missiles. So in the past, the threat of North Korea was related to nuclear weapons. Now, North Korean threat is related to nuclear weapons
combined with some missiles. So, this is some grave concern, grave threat and a new dimension of threat.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ROBERTSON: So to those threats and those concerns, what he has done here at IAEA is to step up the training of key personnel who could become
involved in inspections program and to make sure that they would have the right equipment because of course since they were lost in North Korea doing
inspections, things have changed a lot on the ground to make sure they have right equipment so they could be an effective tool for the international
community to do something about North Korea's weapons program, Hannah.
JONES: Nic, they are of course all meeting in New York at the moment at the U.N. Security Council trying to come up with diplomatic roots to
resolve this problem with North Korea. I'm wondering if diplomacy at all now is just a fantasy, and my apologies Nic. Before getting your answer on
that, we are going to go straight to the United Nations where we can hear from the South Korean ambassador. Let's listen in.
(BEGIN LIVE VIDEO)
CHO TAE-YUL, SOUTH KOREAN AMBASSADOR TO U.N. (through translator): -- on North Korea's sixth nuclear test that was conducted this past Saturday. I'm
also grateful to be invited to take part in this important discussion. Mr. President, it is with a deep sense of disappointment, frustration and even
anger that I address this council today. One year ago when North Korea conducted its fifth nuclear test, the Security Council issued the
[11:25:00] stern warning that North Korea's continued nuclear and missile provocation would not be tolerated. Despite this warning however, North
Korea has since fired 20 ballistic missiles over 15 times in flagrant violation of multiple Security Council resolutions. While spending
considerable amounts of time and energy responding to such reckless ballistic missile provocations by North Korea, we held on to one last ray
of hope that North Korea may at least refrain from additional nuclear tests.
Regrettably yet again, the country has chosen a dangerous path in defiance of the stern warning of the international community. The nuclear test
conducted by North Korea two days ago has proven to be its most powerful thus far following the two ballistic missile launches of intercontinental
range in July which led to the adoption of Security Council resolution 2371 on the 5th of August.
North Korea has been maximizing the level of threat and now claims that the purpose of the most recent test is to develop nuclear warheads to install
in top of its intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korea's such do or die behavior has invited a very harsh and scathing reaction from the
international community. Indeed, over the past two days, numerous states from around the world have spoken in one unified voice by issuing
statements strongly condemning North Korea's nuclear tests.
Even those countries that have been trying to be as sympathetic as possible vis a vis North Korea's security concerns have added their own voice to
such condemnations without exceptions this time around. This is clear evidence that North Korea's recent nuclear test is an immense challenge
that threatens the peace and security not only on the Korean Peninsula or northeast Asia but of the entire world.
Therefore, the Security Council must respond to the serious provocation with adoption of a new resolution containing much tougher measures
corresponding to the magnitude and gravity of the test. Now is the time to take measures that are strong and robust enough to compel North Korea to
seriously engage in dialogue. The new resolution must include not only additional measures to further block funds that could possibly flow into
North Korea's illegal WMD program, but also truly biting (ph) and robust measures that Pyongyang finds very painful.
Mr. President, just five days ago, we celebrate the international day against nuclear tests in an informal meeting of the general assembly. A
number of member states gathered to commemorate this special day together and engage in a very serious discussion. Virtually all the participating
member states that took the floor at the meeting strongly condemned North Korea, the only country that has conducted nuclear tests in the 21st
century and called on the country to immediately hold further nuclear tests.
But it was just a couple of days later that North Korea conducted yet another nuclear test. Today, a (INAUDIBLE) moratorium on nuclear test has
become a de facto international norm. However, the world is yet to be free from nuclear tests due to a single country that continues to stubbornly
pursue a ritual (INAUDIBLE) and destabilizing path. North Korea's delusional aspiration of becoming a nuclear weapon state is the sole reason
for the existence of the international day against nuclear tests.
We must end this immediately and I call upon all member states including the members of this council to take firm and decisive actions to this end.
I also call upon North Korea to stop pursuing the path of self-destruction and make a strategic decision without further delay to choose the path of
de-nuclearization, the only option and right way to ensure its survival. Whether to stick to its current path of self or redirect towards path of
survival is entirely the choice of North Korea. Thank you very much.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thank the representative of the Republic of Korea for his statement. The representative of the United States has asked for the
floor to make further statement.
NIKKI HALEY, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.: Mr. President, due to the urgency of the situation with the nuclear test as well as the announcement by North
Korea that they are planning for another ICBM test, we want to urge the council to move very quickly on this. I think that North Korea basically
has slapped everyone in the face and the international community that has asked them to stop.
[11:30:00] So, the United States will be circulating a resolution that we want to negotiate this week and vote on Monday so, just wanted to let the
members know. I know that some are going (INAUDIBLE ) but we wanted to make sure that we will do that on Monday when we can get those negotiations
finished. Thank you.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I thank the representative of the United States for her statement. There are no more names inscribed in the list of speakers. The
meeting is adjourned.
(END LIVE VIDEO)
JONES: They haven't done the meeting adjourned but emergency session at the United Nations Security Council. We heard at the end there from South
Korea. Of course, the whole meeting has been called because of North Korea and what the neighbors north of Seoul are currently doing in North Korea.
Richard Roth, our correspondent is monitoring events for us at the United Nations.
Now Richard, extraordinary there, we heard from the South Korean ambassador saying that he was angry. There was a certain amount of anger in which he
was making that statement and then another impassioned plea from Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador is saying that North Korea has slapped everyone
in the face. Extraordinary language coming out of the session.
ROTH: Yes, and then perhaps the most note worthy timing wise, Ambassador Haley there at the end saying she wants a vote on a new sanctions
resolution one week from today. She noted that many members of the Security Council have a pre-planned trip to Africa so she's giving that time and
certainly she's going to need time for negotiations to convince China o Russia to get on board with additional sanctions.
We heard the South Korean ambassador perhaps providing a little bit more detail saying he wants to stop more money from coming into North Korea.
That could mean more sanctions on banks that do business with North Korea or have a way of funneling hard needed currency in for that reclusive
regime, plus, he wants some teeth and other sanctions. It could be textiles.
It's unclear whether the volatile issue of oil and oil shipments to North Korea badly needed by the regime for farming and for powering other needs
could make a dent but has always been blocked by China. Here at the United Nations Security Council, it's not expected there'll be consultations.
The U.S. ambassador talking right now with the British ambassador still at the table but it's going to be now some of the usual hard work in the back
channels to come up with a resolution on new sanctions, provided nothing else happens before then. The number of nuclear tests is now rivaling the
number of sanctions resolutions, six to seven I think right now is the current score.
JONES: Yes. We'll wait to see of course if North Korea launches another missile while these conversations are going on, these negotiations. And the
U.S, Richard, very much focused on action -- immediate action in the form of sanctions. The South Koreans though interestingly I thought again saying
in line with the United States, that a new resolution of tougher measures was necessary.
But, also saying that they want to compel North Korea to seriously engage in dialogue. Dialogue is not being something that we've heard from the
United States as a possible solution.
ROTH: No, I think they're going to still play the needed bad cop here. That's been done many times. The dialogue is that so-called six party talks
which hasn't been much of a party in the last few years. They haven't resumed. North Korea withdrew.
There is so little trust with the Pyongyang regime here that when anyone proposes dialogue people feel that North Korea has betrayed the U.N. on so
many existing promises, agreements and resolutions. It just doesn't have the feel of other possible route, but so far, no signals coming from North
Korea except military ones.
JONES: And Richard, just finally, emotions clearly running high there in the Security Council. Russia though on the other hand saying that a calm
and rational response is required. Cool heads are needed in order to resolve this. It doesn't sound at least like they're going to come to any
agreement anytime soon.
ROTH: Well, I think they will eventually come up with more sanctions but it's just as Ambassador Haley said, there is this incremental approach that
hasn't achieved anything. Russia and China when it's in there backyard, certainly going to call for calm and stability -- certainly that's the
China route. We heard the Russian ambassador again mention the secretary general of the U.N. and whether there is a role to play for him, but that
has not come up.
Nobody's asked for that. He's always willing and able. He is the new secretary general, Antonio Guterres, but no sign of North Korea wanting to
talk. As Nikki Haley said, they're begging for war right now.
JONES: Yes. Richard, thank you so much for staying across the story for us. We appreciate it. Richard Roth there at the United Nations in New York.
Of course, so much of the story is dependent on the United States and South Korea as well and their relationship.
And just coming into us here at CNN, we are getting details of the conversation, a phone call between the U.S. and South Korean presidents.
Donald Trump and Moon Jae-in spoke by phone a short time ago and according to the South Korean presidential office, they agreed that it's time to
apply the greatest
[11:35:00] pressure possible on North Korea after of course Pyongyang's weekend test. And Seoul says the two leaders agreed to remove the limits on
the size of South Korea's missiles. That could be crucial of course. We'll be right back with plenty more on this story and the rest of the day's news
after a short break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: Welcome back. This is "Connect the World" on CNN and these are top stories we're following for you this hour. U.S. ambassador to the U.N.,
Nikki Haley, said all measures must be taken to stop North Korea's nuclear ambitions.
And an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting, she said Kim Jong-un is, quote, begging for war. And she says the U.S. will circulate a new
resolution and wants the councils should vote on that resolution next Monday.
South Korea meanwhile delivered a loud and powerful show of force in response to Pyongyang's action. Seoul carried out a series of live fire
drills and is preparing to deploy more launches for a controversial US-made missile defense system.
Social media users are using a photograph of a young victim of the war in Yemen to draw attention to what the U.N. says is the world's biggest
humanitarian crisis. Buthaina Mansour is the sole survivor in her family of a Saudi-coalition airstrike on her family's apartment building last month.
The war-torn country is also in the grip of the cholera epidemic and widespread food shortages.
OK, changing the tone slightly here in Britain, the royal family is getting ready to be pitter patter of tiny feet. Once again, the Duchess of
Cambridge is pregnant with her third child. Kensington Palace made the announcement adding that the Queen and both families are delighted. The new
baby will become the fifth in line to the throne.
Max Foster live outside Buckingham Palace for us now. So Max, Uncle Harry strikes again. He must be delighted that he's sort of going further down
the ladder to the throne.
MAX FOSTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes. So he's currently fifth in line t the throne. He goes down to number six next year when we expect this baby to be
born, in the spring we think because I've been told by the palace that the baby is less than 10 weeks old. So she's less than 10 weeks pregnant. She
had to announce it because there was engagement today and she didn't feel well enough to go. They felt like they needed to be open and honest about
her acute morning sickness, so they said the reason she won't be seen as much in public until she gets better is because she's pregnant.
So they brought that announcement for because she wasn't able to be out and about today. As you say, Prince Harry was at least pretty pleased.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Got the news you're going to be an uncle again.
PRINCE HARRY, PRINCE OF WALES: Fantastic. Great. Very, very happy for them.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And how is your sister-in-law doing?
PRINCE HARRY: I haven't seen her for a while but I think she's OK.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
FOSTER: He's been away of course. Much rumor about whether or not he's going to get married himself. So we thought though some sort of
announcement coming out this morning. What could it be? A royal engagement or the royal baby, and we found out, Hannah, it is another royal baby.
During the spring we expect.
JONES: It could be a very, very busy year indeed for you Max, next year
[11:40:00] if you got a baby and a wedding in one year. Thanks very much. We appreciate it.
And now while Britain is expecting a new arrival, the European Union is in fact, well, the total opposite. And it's all down to, get this, not two
tiny feet but nine tiny words. Germany's chancellor, Angela Merkel declaring, quote, Turkey should not be a member of the E.U. there. In an
instance, 20 years of talks, signatures, agreements, pats on the back and handshakes going up in smoke.
Well over the past few months, there's been no love lost between the two, but even so they do kind of need each other like say on immigration. Let's
head out now to Germany's capital, Berlin, so Atika Shubert can fill us in on what's exactly Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel has been saying. Did she
intend to take on Turkey in such a public way?
ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, she really did it in response to her opposition candidate, Martin Schulz, of the social democrats saying
that Turkey should not become a member of the E.U., that he was firmly opposed to that. Angela Merkel agreed with him. She even suggested that
they freeze the E.U. accession talks, but she kind of hedged it then and said this is something fr E.U. to discuss with other E.U. leaders.
Now keep in mind, this all comes with a backdrop of deteriorating relations between Turkey and Germany. There are 11 German nationals being held in
Turkish prisons -- Germany says for political reasons. But as you point out, they also have this agreement between Germany and Turkey to sort of
stop the flow of refugees coming across from Syria.
So, it is a very complicated relationship but it does seem that Merkel wants to take a firmer line. In the debate, she specifically mentioned that
agreement with Turkey as part of her defense for opening the doors to almost a million refugees in 2015. Take a listen to what she said.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
ANGELA MERKEK, CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY (through translator): What could we have done? I am familiar with these scenarios that were being discussed at
the end of 2015. Honestly, using water cannons against thousands of people? Is that the way you think things can be solved? I don't think so. We have a
3,000 kilometer border and so we have to address the causes of migration. Of course we have to have control.
We introduced border checks, but to leave Austria or other countries to deal with it alone? Therefore, we had the E.U- Turkey agreement. I got a
lot of criticism for when it was finally finished and I still consider it absolutely right.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SHUBERT: Now, Turkey has responded by saying that Germany's candidates are bowing down to populist sentiment. Either way, it shows that Germany and
Turkey really have to work on this relationship in some way and they really -- it shows that things are deteriorating pretty quickly between the two.
JONES: And Atika, the wider theme of our show today is of course North Korea and the nuclear threat on the Korean Peninsula right now. What can
you tell us about Germany's reaction to that?
SHUBERT: Well, actually this is a question that was asked to the candidates in the debate last night and Angela Merkel essentially ticked
off the people that she could speak to about this you know. She mentioned that she would be having a call, for example, with the South Korean
president, that she would be speaking to President Trump, and also to the prime minister of Japan.
Now, what's interesting here, of course, is the fact that Martin Schulz, the opposition candidate specifically said that President Trump was not the
right leader to be dealing with the North Korean crisis, that he was too unpredictable. Merkel, the more that she basically said listen, we have to
deal with it diplomatically and this is why she is making those important calls today.
JONES: Atika, thank you.
Now while Turkey won't be able to go into the E.U., Britain of course is busy getting itself out. And when it does and Europe waves goodbye, this
will surely be the last thing our continental friends see, this white seam on the horizon, stitching the blue of the English Channel to Britain's
green unpleasant land -- it's as it has for millions of years of course, but maybe not for much longer.
In just three weeks, this could all be sold. The National Trust that looks after the land right now needs to come up with more than million bucks to
stuff it all up and save it or else it could all go to developers and then well, who knows? We'll wait and see. Live from London this is "Connect the
World." And coming up this hour, a region on edge. The view from Tokyo as North Korea claims its largest nuclear test so far.
[11:45:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
JONES: You are watching CNN. This is "Connect the World." I'm Hannah Vaughan Jones. Thanks so much for joining us. The U.S. and South Korean
presidents spoke by phone last hour for the first time since North Korea's nuclear test. The White House would not say why it took so long for Mr.
Trump to call his South Korean counterpart.
But the U.S. president has said South Korea's stance on the north is simply too soft and he has suggested pulling out of the free trade deal U.S. has
with South Korea. Mr. Trump spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe twice though in 24 hours. Japan (INAUDIBLE) is calling for maximum pressure
on North Korea.
Let's go straight now to CNN's Will Ripley in Tokyo. Will, what is the priority for Japan here. Is it to defend itself against the threat, the
ongoing threat from North Korea or to sort of mediate between all the other players who are in the region right now?
WILL RIPLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: I think the main priority for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Hannah, is to at least publicly appear in total
lock step with the United States and with President Donald Trump. This is a prime minister who flew to the U.S. very quickly after the election to
congratulate and meet with Trump before he even took office because he sensed that President Trump, it's very important to build these personal
relationships and to flatter the president.
He gave him a set of gold golf clubs. And as a result, you've seen President Trump speaking twice with Prime Minister Abe -- taking more than
30 hours to call South Korea's President Moon Jae-in who reportedly has some tense discussions with about North Korea and the trade deal that you
mentioned. And so Japan wants to make sure that it is known that they will go along with the United States even if the communication style of the U.S.
president is vastly different from the Japanese prime minister and this country in general, which is a pacifist country, but which has said
publicly that they appreciate the United States keeping all options including military options on the table.
JONES: Will, you're obviously there in Tokyo at the moment but I know you spent a lot of time recently included in Pyongyang in North Korea.
[11:50:00] Will Kim Jong-un in your view be keeping a very close eye on what's just been happening in the last hour or so at the United Nations?
What does he potentially want out of all of this?
RIPLEY: The North Koreans are absolutely watching every move that the U.N. Security Council and we can likely expect a statement in the coming hours
condemning what has just happened, condemning U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley for calling for even stronger sanctions against their country. North Korea
has continued to make the case and I was having discussions with government officials in Pyongyang just last week that they believe the world -- it's
time for the world to recognize that their position, their geopolitical position has changed.
North Korea wants to be acknowledged as a nuclear weapon state or at least as a nuclear power. They say that de-nuclearization, which is what the
United States is demanding as a pre-condition for any sort of discussions with North Korea, just isn't going to happen. North Korea has invested far
too much in developing the nuclear arsenal. And I think what we're seeing is preparations by Kim Jong-un to show defiance once again.
You have the U.N. Security Council meeting just 24 hours or so after North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test and now indications that North
Korea is preparing to launch possibly another ICBM in the coming days perhaps to coincide with their major national holiday on Saturday,
Foundation Day. If that happens, this would really be unprecedented in terms of North Korea's provocative acts.
And as officials said to us all last week, they are furious with the United States and United Nations. They feel that they have been cornered, that
they're being bullied and they're refusing to back down even if that means financial punishment against their country, which they say they're unafraid
of because they have survived difficult times including a famine in the past. And the regime has stayed firmly in control.
JONES: Will, it's always fantastic to get your perspective on this. We appreciate it. Thanks very much indeed.
Now the Pentagon chief says a North Korean threat against the U.S. or indeed its allies would be met with quite massive military response. But a
top U.S. general says nothing drastic is needed to counter North Korea right now. Find out why at our website, that's at cnn.com.
This hour we've been covering all sides of the North Korean threat. Many countries have already expressed how they feel. But what about someone who
remembers the horror of the Korean War? We asked an 85-year-old South Korean veteran, Park Myong-ho, what he would say to Kim Jong-un. These are
his words in our "Parting Shots."
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PARK MYONG-HO, KOREAN WAR VETERAN (through translator): Dear Chairman Kim Jong-un, please stop this missile threat towards the U.S. Pacific territory
of Guam. I, Park Myong-ho, met your grandfather, Kim Il Sung at Seodaemun Red Cross hospital in Seoul during the Korean War. I was 17 and working as
an assistant for the hospital.
When your grandfather came out of a sedan to inspect the hospital, I saw this tall, handsome man with a commanding presence. At first he was
brimming with confidence but as he walked out of the hospital after seeing countless wounded soldiers I could see the regret and sorrow on his face.
During the last days of the Korean War at the Naktong River defense line, I saw so many North Korean soldiers bleeding, their arms and legs were
amputated, their heads injured. They did not know what to do. Many were not able to get to the hospital. Seeing those soldiers, I couldn't help but
feel deep sadness thinking why such young men have to die on South Korea's territory.
Because of your grandfather's delusion, the Korean War broke out. And millions of young soldiers were sacrificed. More than 10 million families
were separated and more than 80 percent of houses across the country were destroyed. The Korean War was terrible. No war like it should happen again.
Why? Why are you threatening to wage to war on our beautiful land where the scenery stretches far and wide? Why? For what? I was shot several times
during the Korean War and is still
[11:55:00] suffering from its aftermath. There should be no war again on this beautiful land. I wish for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Old war
veteran, Park Myong-ho. .
(END VIDEOTAPE)
JONES: Regardless of what is going on in the world around us, you always would want to stay ahead of it and it wouldn't hurt if you also follow one
of the best Facebook pages ever that is us of course. You can find the latest world news, the interviews and the issues that matter to you at
facebook.com/cnnconnect. You can also connect with me on twitter @HVaughanJones.
I'm Hannah Vaughan Jones. That was "Connect the World." Thanks so much for watching.
[12:00:00] (COMMERCIAL BREAK)
END
