Readers sound off: North Korea missile test poses a real threat

North Korea announced Tuesday that it successfully tested its first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). President Trump expressed frustration with China, suggesting the U.S. might not work with the country to curb North Korea. Comments are edited for clarity and grammar: 

Kim Jong Un won’t stop until he has what he wants, and no sanctions or veiled threats will stop him. The opportunity to stop the North Korean leader was wasted years ago on too much worry about China.

— Peter Siano Sr.

Can Kim Jong Un call this progress? Instead of blowing up on the launch pad, his missile hit the Sea of Japan.

— Johnny Rose

Prior U.S. presidents kicked the can down the road. Now there is a real threat brewing. North Korea will not stop until it has achieved a real ICBM. The question is, will the American people support the looming military intervention? China is our last hope before military intervention, so the world should be pressuring China to do the right thing and bring this regime to its knees. People may scoff at missiles that blow up in midair and miss their targets, but in three years, Los Angeles could be in range.

— John Andre Clarke

Trump inherited a mess from President Obama’s legacy.

— Warren White

President Trump tweeted, “North Korea has just launched another missile. Does this guy have anything better to do with his life?” But he wastes his time tweeting against anyone who makes fun of him as hundreds of government positions are not appointed. Does Trump have anything better to do with his life?

— Jay Winwer

There are no good options here, and some terrible ones, including a unilateral U.S. strike against North Korea, which Trump says is on the table.

— Rich Barnes

The world should simply ignore North Korea and its crazy leaders, with one exception. It should do everything possible to warn national leaders that if they launch any offensive attack on anyone, the attacking country will be wiped out in a massive counterattack. It’s highly unlikely that China would get involved if North Korea instituted any attack. So the U.S. has to be the one ready to act.

— Jim Malefyt

It’s ironic that so many Californians oppose Trump, when in a few years Los Angeles could be in North Korea’s range.

— John James

To join the conversations about topics in Paste BN, email letters@usatoday.com, comment on Facebook or use #tellusatoday on Twitter.

Want more conversation starters? Listen to Punchlines: