A joint statement from Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis, and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coates outlined the US's new stance on North Korea on Wednesday."Past efforts have failed to halt North Korea's unlawful weapons programs and nuclear and ballistic missile tests," the statement reads."North Korea jeopardizes the stability in Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our allies and the US Homeland."President Donald Trump authorized a review of the White House's North Korea policy upon entering office, according to the statement, and has resolved to ramp up pressure on the North Korean regime to deescalate tensions. The statement may also shed some light on the classified briefing Senators received at the White House onWednesdayabout the hermit kingdom."We are engaging responsible members of the international community to increase pressure on the DPRK," reads the statment, referring to North Korea by it's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.Therelease specifically cites USallies South Korea and Japan as partners in the effort to reel in North Korea. Trump has also been especially vocal aboutgetting China's help in resolving the issue.China, North Korea's biggest backer, is responsible for about 85% of North Korea's external trade and provides a similar amount of their energy imports.At their meeting earlier this month,Trump said he told China's Xi Jinpingthat "the way you're gonna make a good trade deal [with the US] is to help us with North Korea, otherwise we're just going to go it alone."The joint statement did break from previous US messaging on North Korea in one small way, saying "we remain open to negotiations" towards denuclearizing the Korean peninsula. But it did not elaborate further.Experts contacted by Business Insider have stressed that diplomatic engagement with North Korea, an option that hasn't yet beenpursued by the Trump administration, could be the key to defusing the crisis.The statement ends on a familiar note: "We remain prepared to defend ourselves and our allies," it reads. AUS aircraft carrier and nuclear submarine are currently stationed off of North Korea's coast.The full statement is below:Past effortshave failed to halt North Korea'sunlawful weapons programsand nuclear and ballistic missile tests. With each provocation, North Koreajeopardizes stabilityin Northeast Asia and poses a growing threat to our Allies and the U.S. homeland.North Korea's pursuit of nuclear weaponsisan urgent national security threat and top foreign policy priority. Upon assuming office,President Trumpordered a thorough review ofU.S.policypertaining to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).Today,along with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. JoeDunford,we briefedMembers of Congressonthereview. The President'sapproachaimsto pressure North Korea into dismantling its nuclear,ballistic missile, and proliferation programs by tightening economic sanctionsand pursuingdiplomatic measureswith ourAllies andregionalpartners.Weare engagingresponsible members of the international communitytoincreasepressure on the DPRKin orderto convincethe regimeto de-escalate and return to the path of dialogue. We will maintain our close coordination and cooperation with ourAllies, especially the Republic of Korea and Japan, as we work together to preserve stability and prosperityin the region.The United States seeks stability andthe peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards thatgoal. However, we remainpreparedto defend ourselves and ourAllies.SEE ALSO:Trump says he put economic pressure on China's president to help with North KoreaJoin the conversation about this storyNOW WATCH: Here's what $1 billion worth of cocaine looks like
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