U.S. troops need to be ready to show force against provocations from North Korea, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Tuesday, calling the country “an odd place.”
Carter fielded questions from troops around the world via social media and video from Fort George G. Meade in Maryland on topics ranging from women in combat to closing Guantanamo Bay to maternity leave and other benefits programs.
One service member asked a question from the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea, where artillery fire temporarily halted a U.S. exercise with South Korea last month.
“We had a little dustup out there about a week ago,” Carter said. “I don’t need to tell you about North Korea; to put it mildly, it’s an odd place.”
Asked about his priorities to deal with North Korea, Carter said it’s important for American service members to effectively show the country that no aggressive action will be tolerated.
“Job No. 1 is fight tonight, we need to be ready,” he said. “We need to make sure North Koreans always understand any provocations with them will be dealt with and they stand no chance of defeating us and our allies.”
